- In short: Celine Cremer, who has not been seen for 12 days, is feared missing in the Tasmanian wilderness. Her family is holding out hope she’ll be found
- What’s next? Police are considering using sniffer dogs as around 20 personnel continue their search efforts near Philosopher Falls in the state’s north-west
A Belgian tourist feared lost in the Tasmanian wilderness told her family not to worry if she didn’t contact them for several days because she was travelling in an area with limited phone reception, her sister says.
Celine Cremer — who has been living in Tasmania since the start of the year — set off on a solo road trip earlier this month, with aim of travelling by ferry to Melbourne on June 21.
But she failed to board the Spirit of Tasmania, and as the days ticked by her family became increasingly concerned, reporting her missing on June 26.
“We started to be worried last week because we sent her messages and [didn’t] have a response,” her 26-year-old sister Amelie said.
“So we started to contact police on Monday this week.”
The following day, her white Honda CRV was found at a car park near Philosopher Falls in the state’s north-west — where authorities have been focusing their search efforts.
There has been no sign of Celine, 31, who was last seen in the nearby town of Waratah on June 17.
Police believe her car was at the falls since at least June 20 — the same day her mobile phone sent its last signal.
Conditions in the area are extremely cold, with snow falling over recent days.
‘Don’t be worried’
Amelie, who lives in Belgium, told the ABC her sister came to Australia to “pursue her dreams”.
“She’s always loved to travel, she loves family, she loves her friends,” she said.
“She has a big heart.”
Amelie said Celine communicated regularly with her family.
But prior to setting off on her road trip, she advised them she would be out of range for part of the journey, Amelie said.
“She said to us, ‘Don’t be worried, I will go on trek, I will go visit [places], maybe I don’t have a signal on my phone, so don’t be worried.'”
Twelve days have now passed since Celine was last seen, and it’s been even longer since she contacted her family.
Amelie said the situation was “not good”.
“We are optimists, we keep hope about finding her, but it’s complicated.”
Police consider sniffer dogs for search
About 20 police and State Emergency Service personnel are involved in the search near Philosopher Falls — a 45-minute stroll from where Celine’s car was located.
“The search so far has included ground search crews and police drones and helicopters,” police said.
Sniffer dogs have not been used at this stage, but police are considering bringing them in.
“Information indicates that Ms Cremer was equipped for a light walk,” police said.
“Weather conditions have been extremely cold with snow fall in the area over last weekend and light snow falling on searchers yesterday, with a bushwalkers weather alert in place for Tasmania.”
Celine’s car was towed from the area yesterday for further examinations, which police said was “standard protocol”.
Amelie said police were keeping the family frequently updated on the progress of the search.
She urged anyone with information about her sister’s whereabouts to contact authorities.
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