Loose croc found in plane hold

Shocked baggage handlers came face to face with a loose crocodile roaming through the hold of an Australian plane.

The reptile was being transferred from Brisbane to Melbourne, but managed to escape from its container during the two-hour journey.

It was discovered by baggage handlers who were unloading passengers' luggage after the Qantas flight landed in Melbourne.

The crocodile, which was not fully grown, was soon captured and returned to its cage without incident.

Qantas said it had launched an investigation to discover how the animal had broken free.

"The animal was quickly and safely secured when the aircraft arrived in Melbourne," the airline said in a statement.

It added that the investigation would focus on whether it had been loaded appropriately by Australian Air Express, the cargo firm that was transporting the crocodile.