Police are searching for two prospectors missing in rural Queensland after their car was found locked with mobile phones inside.
Officers on Saturday launched a public appeal to help find the missing women, 54-year-old Michelle Lyn Melbourne and 36-year-old Nikita May Bennett.
The pair was last seen leaving an address on Nanango-Tarong Road about 11am on Friday.
They intended to go prospecting at Seven Mile Diggings on Old Esk North Road at Nanango in the South Burnett, but failed to return home on Friday night.
Their white Ford Falcon ute was found at Seven Mile Diggings, an old gold fossicking area, locked and with mobile phones inside.
Police and State Emergency Service crew mounted a search for the women on Saturday morning, with officers and the womens’ families concerned for their welfare given their personal items were found.
Difficult terrain in the area was also a concern, Queensland Police Service said.
Officers described Ms Melbourne as Aboriginal and about 155 centimetres tall with a heavy build, brown eyes and long brown hair.
The 54-year-old was last seen wearing a yellow jumper, blue jeans and steel cap boots.
Ms Bennett was described as Caucasian and about 165 centimetres tall with a proportionate build, brown eyes and blonde hair with pink and purple streaks.
She was last seen wearing a checked shirt and blue jeans.
Police urged anyone with information about the pair to contact them.
-AAP
