Belgian police launched an appeal for public assistance as efforts to find a young Belgian backpacker gone missing in Australia continue, with sniffer dogs joining in the search for the missing student on Thursday.
"To help Belgian and Australian investigators, the police are looking for all persons who have communicated with Théo Hayez in any way during the days before his disappearance," the appeal, published on Wednesday evening, says.
Hayez, an 18-year-old student from Auderghem, was last seen on May 31 at a hotel in Byron Bay, a popular destination for backpackers in Australia.
After Australian authorities employed drones and enlisted the help of lifesavers to search a beach in the vicinity of the hostel where Hayez was staying, sniffer dogs joined in the search on Thursday.
"All of the resources of the regional police are being employed," in the search for Hayez, according to a police spokesperson.
Hayez's disappearance was described as “completely out of character for him,” as he was reportedly in constant contact with his family and was set to return to Belgium at the start of June.
A crowdfunding campaign in support of Hayez’s family was launched and has so far collected over €24,000.
Gabriela Galindo
The Brussels Times
