Senior Sergeant Greg Giles believes that the injuries on the body found Thursday, believed to be that of the 16-year-old, were “consistent with a crocodile attack”.

Queensland police believe a teenager who went missing in Torres Strait waters may have been killed by a crocodile.

Police launched a search and rescue operation near Saibai Island after receiving reports at about 4 a.m. on Thursday that a 16-year-old boy was missing after a boat broke down north of the island.

Queensland police said the boat had been taking on water in rough conditions and that the teenager, and a 13-year-old boy, reportedly attempted to swim back to shore from their broken-down dinghy.

A police spokesperson confirmed Thursday night that they had discovered the body of the older boy.

Senior Sergeant Greg Giles believes the injuries on the body found, believed to be that of the 16-year-old, were “consistent with a crocodile attack”.

“A foot search was conducted along the shoreline of Saibai Island where they located the [body],” Giles said. “We weren’t sure at that stage if the boy had unfortunately drowned or if he had been taken by a crocodile.”

The formal identification process has begun to confirm the identity of the body, and further testing is underway to confirm the cause of death.

A spokesperson for Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation said wildlife officers will now survey the waters off Saibai Island in order to attempt to locate the crocodile involved.

“The local community has requested the animal involved in the incident be removed from the wild,” the department spokesperson said.

The crocodile suspected to be involved in the attack is estimated to be about 3.5 metres in length.

The younger boy made it to safety.

In a statement, the department said it “extended its condolences to the family and friends of a teenager who died in waters off Saibai Island early yesterday morning.”