Emergency services are in a desperate search for Parbhat, a 24-year-old Indian national, who was last seen at The Gap, a popular tourist lookout in Albany’s Torndirrup National Park, on Monday.
Albany Advertiser reports that Parbhat was last spotted in the car park around 4pm, visibly upset and refusing to talk to witnesses.
Concerns about Parbhat’s safety escalated on Tuesday when members of the public reported his unattended vehicle to the police, triggering an intensive search operation.
By Wednesday, 12 State Emergency Service (SES) personnel were battling challenging weather conditions, including rain and wind, to locate Parbhat. Sergeant Vaughan MacKay confirmed that significant resources had been deployed in the search, which would continue through Wednesday and Thursday.
Sgt MacKay stated:
“Police have launched an immediate search of the surrounding area in an attempt to locate Parbhat. With the assistance of DFES, SES, and Volunteer Marine Rescue, a comprehensive land and sea search is ongoing.”
He added that public assistance is crucial, urging anyone with information about Parbhat’s movements, sightings, or conversations to come forward. The rough weather, including severe winds and heavy seas, has complicated both land and sea search efforts.
Parbhat has been in the Albany area since 27 July, living out of his blue Kia Cerato, which remains parked at The Gap. He is described as olive-skinned, with dark hair and a beard, and was last seen wearing a dark tracksuit and a dark woollen jumper.
With no immediate family in Australia and a limited social circle, police are attempting to contact his family in India.
Police continue to appeal for any information that might help locate Parbhat. Anyone with information is urged to contact police immediately on 131 444.
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