Missing Australian child feared attacked by crocodile, police say

Police in Australia’s Northern Territory said on Wednesday a missing 12-year-old child was reportedly attacked by a crocodile and a search and rescue operation was underway.
The child was reported missing on Tuesday evening after swimming in a creek in Palumpa, a remote town of around 350 people seven hours by road from the territory capital Darwin.
A senior sergeant said in a statement, “Local officers are on scene and our thoughts are with the family and the community.”
“Officers are currently searching a large section of the creek via boat and we thank the community for their ongoing assistance.”
There are more than 100,000 crocodiles – which can grow up to 6 metres (20 ft) long – in the vast Northern Territory, though fatal attacks are relatively rare.