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Two German tourists missing in the outback
By Tara Ravens/AAP
TWO German tourists are missing after failing to arrive in Darwin almost a month after leaving Uluru in outback Australia.
Holger Richter and Kathrin Kleinbauer, both 31, last spoke to friends on a mobile phone on June 19.
At the time they were visiting Uluru in Australia's red centre, Northern Territory police said today.
The pair, who arrived in Australia in December on 12-month working visas, told friends they planned to visit the Olgas before travelling to Darwin.
They said they would then return to Perth on the Gunbarrell Highway.
Detective Senior Constable Kerry Harris said the pair had been keeping in weekly contact with a Sydney friend, who reported them missing today after they failed to arrive, as scheduled, at his niece's home in Darwin on Monday.
Det Snr Const Harris said the tourists were travelling in an older style Mitsubishi Pajero four-wheel drive with West Australian registration plates 1CK 487.
He said they were well prepared with camping provisions, food and water.
The last tourist to go missing in the NT outback was Queenslander Oswald Orman.
The 37-year-old was last seen trying to hitchhike along the Barkly Highway near the Barkly Homestead, 210km from Tennant Creek, in January.
Staff at the outback cattle station, in the territory's remote east, contacted police to report that Mr Orman had apparently abandoned his car, which contained clothing and other personal items.
Mr Orman was the second hitchhiker to go missing in the NT outback in two months.
New Zealand tourist Jamie Herdman was last seen trying to catch a ride at Daly Waters, about 600km south of Darwin, on November 30.
His Kombi van - containing his mobile phone, clothes, some cash and other personal items - was found abandoned near a Stuart Highway roadhouse.
The vehicle - which was prone to overheating - was unlocked and the keys were not in the ignition.
The 26-year-old trained chef had spent the previous 18 months working for a furniture removal company at Broome in Western Australia when he decided to go on his road trip.
It is not known where he was headed when he disappeared, although his brother said he had talked of visiting Darwin.
Missing German tourists found in WA
6:00PM Friday July 06, 2007
Two German tourists though missing in Australia's vast outback have been found.
DARWIN - Two German tourists feared missing after visiting the Australian
outback have been spotted on a boat tour in Western Australia.
The sighting has prompted police to urge travellers to stay in contact with
friends and family and respect the vastness of the outback.
Holger Richter and Kathrin Kleinbauer, both 31, last spoke to friends on a
mobile phone on June 19 while they were visiting Uluru in Australia's Red
Centre.
The pair, who arrived in Australian in December last year on a 12-month working
visa, told friends they planned to visit the Olgas before travelling to Darwin
and then on to Perth.
They had been keeping in weekly contact with a Sydney friend, who reported them
missing yesterday after they failed to arrive, as scheduled, at his niece's
home.
Detective Senior Constable Kerry Harris today confirmed the couple were
yesterday on a boat tour of Ningaloo reef, in Coral Bay, Western Australia.
"The operator reports that they were in good spirits and police from Exmouth
will attempt to locate the couple," he said.
(But) we are still keen to speak to them directly."
Mr Harris also urged tourists to stay in contact with people when travelling
across the vast stretches of outback Australia.
"It is imperative that people understand that given the vastness of Australia
any person travelling in remote areas must have a fixed plan and regular contact
points while travelling," he said.
"Changes of plans should be notified to avoid unnecessary concern for families
and friends."
He also urged to travellers to ensure they were fully equipped to deal with any
emergency situations."
This morning territory police said they would be contacting the couple's family
because there had been no response from the public following the media coverage
since early yesterday.
The last tourist to go missing in the Northern Territory outback was
Queenslander Oswald Orman.
The 37-year-old was last seen trying to hitchhike along the Barkly Highway near
the Barkly Homestead, 210km from Tennant Creek.
- AAP |
Friday, 04 July 2008
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