Search for missing British tourist in Australia after belongings found on beach

Updated
Shelly Beach viewed from Manly
Shelly Beach viewed from Manly

A British tourist has gone missing from a popular beach in Australia alongside his French companion.

Police have launched a search for 20-year-old Englishman Hugo Palmer and his friend Erwan Ferrieux, also 20, after items belonging to the pair were discovered at Shelly Beach, on the New South Wales coast north of Sydney.

Walkers found their belongings at about 6.30am on Monday (7.30pm GMT Sunday), and police later discovered their rental car in the beach's car park with a number of personal items, including travel documents, inside.

New South Wales Police said a water and ground search had been commenced, but that there had not yet been any sign of the pair.

Police have not disclosed how long Mr Palmer and Mr Ferrieux had been in Australia.

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said: "Our staff are in contact with police in Australia and the UK following reports of a missing British man at Shelly beach, New South Wales."

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