Two Years After Disappearance, Search Resumes For Belgian Woman After Her Phone Found In Tasmania

Last Updated:December 15, 2025, 07:49 IST

Tasmania Police have rejoined a renewed search for a Belgian hiker after her mobile phone was discovered in remote bushland.

Phone Discovery Sparks Renewed Search for Missing Belgian Hiker in Tasmania

Tasmania Police have joined a privately organised search for a Belgian woman who went missing in the island state’s wilderness more than two years ago. The move follows the discovery of her mobile phone during a fresh search near Philosopher Falls in north-west Tasmania.

Celine Cremer disappeared in June 2023 while hiking near Philosopher Falls. Her car was found a few days later, parked close to the walking track, but repeated police searches at the time failed to locate her or any clear clues.

Over the weekend, friends and family organised an independent search of nearby bushland. On Saturday, the search team found a mobile phone in an area that had already been checked earlier by authorities. Police later confirmed that the phone belonged to Cremer and said it would undergo further forensic examination.

What police said?

In a statement, Tasmania Police said phone data and the location of the device support a working theory about what may have happened. Inspector Andrew Hanson said Cremer may have used an app on her phone to leave the main Philosopher Falls track and take what she believed was a shorter route back to her car as daylight faded.

Police believe she may have dropped her phone along the way and continued without it. Without navigation and in thick, rugged bushland, she may have become disoriented.

The renewed search began on Saturday and is expected to continue for five days. According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, four of Cremer’s friends travelled from Belgium to take part in the effort, hoping the phone discovery could finally lead to answers.

Harsh conditions reduce hope

Cremer was last seen on June 17, 2023, but her disappearance was reported nine days later when she failed to make contact. Police have said the winter weather conditions at the time were extremely harsh. They believe the conditions would not have been survivable for the length of time she was likely exposed.

Despite the grim assessment, authorities say they will continue to support the search as long as there is a chance of learning what happened.

News world Two Years After Disappearance, Search Resumes For Belgian Woman After Her Phone Found In Tasmania

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