Authorities report that a 16-year-old boy in Australia has passed away following an attack by a large crocodile in the Torres Strait.
According to Fox News, the incident occurred on Thursday off the waters of Saibai Island, a relatively-remote island of around 500 people.
Saibai Island is geographically close to Papua New Guinea and it is part of the Australian state of Queensland, around 560 miles north of the city of Cairns.
Local media outlet, Brisbane Times reported that the victim was swimming with a 13-year-old boy before he was killed.
The pair had been using a dinghy when its engine suddenly stopped working properly, and the teenagers decided to brave the waters and swim to shore.
Queensland Police’s Far North District Senior Sergeant Greg Giles told newsmen that the victim vanished after the boys went into waist-deep water.
“Unfortunately the older boy’s body was located in the mangroves,” Giles explained, adding “we are working with the coroner to identify that person.”
According to the police spokesman, the 13-year-old boy did not see a crocodile before the 16-year-old went missing.
“He’s pretty shaken up as you could imagine.
“He was very close to the other boy when he went missing so no doubt it would have affected him,”
Giles said.
A Queensland Police wildlife officer confirmed that the victim’s injuries were consistent with a crocodile attack.
Authorities believe the reptile that killed the teenager was nearly four yards long.
“Injuries sustained are consistent with a large crocodile in the vicinity of 3.5 metres in size, possibly slightly larger,” officer Simon Booth explained.
Local residents have asked authorities to find the crocodile that killed the boy.
A Department of Environment, Science and Innovation in a statement said, “Wildlife officers will survey the waters off Saibai Island by helicopter this afternoon in an attempt to locate the crocodile involved.
“The local community has requested the animal involved in the incident be removed from the wild.
“[DESI] extends its condolences to the family and friends of a teenager who died in waters off Saibai Island.”
