Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025

Residents stranded in crocodile-infested flood town in Australia

Residents stranded in crocodile-infested flood town in Australia

There have been several reported sightings of crocodiles swimming in flood waters in Burketown
A round 70 people have been left stranded in a flooded Queensland town that is likely infested with crocodiles.

There have been several reported sightings of crocodiles swimming in flood waters in Burketown as the Albert River to the town’s east continues to rise.

Residents are bracing for the peak of record flooding on Sunday as authorities warn any remaining people, particularly the elderly and children, to leave immediately.

Zachariah Sowden, the ranger in charge of the Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, warned Burketown residents to stay out of the water.

“As the flood waters start to enter town from the surrounding river systems the local population of saltwater crocodiles will also move with these flood waters. A few crocodiles have already been sighted in different areas of the community.

“Please … stay out of the water where possible to limit a chance encounter with a crocodile.”

Mayor Ernie Camp, who was evacuated on Saturday, said crocodiles, and potentially even bull sharks, could pose a threat to residents who chose to stay behind.

Aerial footage shows water flooding in almost every street of Burketown and ravaging buildings.

Queensland police superintendent Tom Armitt said rescues would become more difficult if the waters continued to rise.

“If we get to the stage where we are having to shift and move people to rooftops, that makes a whole different level of complexity.

“We don’t know when the peak is expected because it has passed any sort of flood modelling at this stage.”

The Albert River at Burketown has already surpassed the record 6.78-metre flood of 2011, and the bureau of meteorology said waters in the Gulf of Carpentaria community will likely reach their highest by Sunday.

About 90 locals still in Burketown were told to pack a grab bag on Friday night after 25 elderly and sick people, along with 18 children accompanied by one of their parents, were airlifted out.

Authorities warned that sewerage to the town had been compromised and power cut-off on Saturday.

Queensland police said of Burketown: “It is not safe for people to remain.”

The council also urged residents to leave on Saturday, warning the floods were rapidly rising and unpredictable.

“Waters are continuing to rise in the Burketown community and surrounding shire,” the council said. “At the moment the water movements are unpredictable and are rising at a rapid rate. The safety of our community members is paramount and we strongly encourage residents to evacuate.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Oman Set to Introduce Personal Income Tax, First in Gulf
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Iran Intensifies Crackdown on Alleged Mossad Operatives After Sabotage Claims
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Black Box Recovered from Air India Crash Site
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Global News Roundup: From Ukraine's strategic military strikes and Russia's demands and Tensions Escalate in Ukraine, to serious legal issues faced by Britons in Bali and Trump's media criticism, the latest developments highlight a turbulent landscape
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
×