Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings says Walt Disney World has been providing "amazing" support as dozens search for the body of a two-year-old boy who was snatched by an alligator.
But, he says, after 15 hours of searching, the attack is "certainly not survivable at this point."
The boy was snatched by the alligator about 9.20pm on Tuesday, as he and his parents waded in ankle-deep water in a man-made lagoon at the luxe Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.
Right before them, the parents watched the alligator grab their son and drag him deeper into the water. His father rushed in and grabbed desperately for his son, to no avail, suffering cuts and lacerations as the alligator pulled the toddler deeper.
Experienced alligator trappers, sheriff's department divers and sonar equipment were used overnight to search a network of man-made canals, ponds and lakes where the alligator may have taken the boy.
Demings said despite searchers' best efforts, the boy's family "will no question lose a two-year-old child".
Searchers were trying to recover his body to "bring some closure to this family".
Disney had never had anything like this happen in 45 years of operations, Demings said. The theme parks' wildlife management system worked diligently to keep guests safe from dangerous Florida creatures, removing or killing any alligators they found, he said.
On Wednesday morning (local time), the effort was still considered a "search and rescue operation", Orange County Sheriff's Department spokesman Jeff Williamson said.
"We are very hopeful. Sometimes you get the worst, but we are hoping for the best."
The alligator was estimated to be four to seven feet (1.2m to 2.1m) long, but its exact size was not known, Demings said.
Walt Disney World closed its beaches "out of an abundance of caution", CNN reported, as law enforcement officials hunted for signs of the boy.
More than 60 sheriff's deputies and wildlife officials were expected to search for the boy on Wednesday.
Nick Wiley of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation said it was rare for people to be attacked by alligators, but he added that the creatures moved around.
He said four alligators were taken from the water overnight, but officials found no evidence they were involved. The alligators had to be euthanised before they were analysed.
The beach area is part of the luxury Grand Floridian resort, across the lake from Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park.
More than 50 law enforcement personnel searched the well-tended lagoon along with an alligator tracker and two marine units in an effort that continued through the night. Williamson said more personnel would be brought in Wednesday morning to offer some "fresh eyes" for the search.
FRANTIC SEARCH
By 1am Wednesday, authorities from Disney World, the Orange County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission had deployed more than 50 law enforcement officers in helicopters and boats to the Seven Seas Lagoon, desperately searching for the missing toddler.
Divers and trappers were on standby, officials said, and they were using sonar technology. After four hours, authorities had still found nothing.
"We're not leaving until we recover the child," Demings said at an early morning press conference.
"Everyone here at the Walt Disney World resort is devastated by this tragic accident," a Disney official told reporters. "Our thoughts are with the family. We are helping the family and doing everything we can to assist law enforcement."
AJ Jain and his wife, resort guests from Georgia, were on the same beach with friends near the scene of the attack Tuesday night, reported the Orlando Sentinel.
"I'm just here to say a prayer," Jain said. "I can't imagine what those parents are going through. It's been one tough week in Orlando."
In March 1997, a 3-year-old New Smyrna Beach boy was killed by a 200-kilogram alligator that grabbed him and dragged him into Lake Ashby in Volusia County as he walked on the shore with his dog. Officials believe the 3.3-metre gator was attracted by the dog. Adam Trevor Binford was pulled under the surface and drowned. Wildlife officials shot the alligator, which was still holding the boy's body 20 hours later.
This attack is the third tragedy to strike the Orlando area in less than a week. Last Friday, 22-year-old Christina Grimmie, a former finalist on NBC's "The Voice," was shot and killed by a deranged fan while signing autographs after a concert in the city. Less than 48 hours later, 49 people were massacred and 53 were injured inside an Orlando gay nightclub in the deadliest mass shooting in US history.
"We're doing our best to deal with all of the situations we have going on here," Demings told reporters Wednesday. "Our staff is very resilient, and tonight they're very focused, if you will, on assisting this family."
- The Washington Post and AP
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