A land and sea search operation continues on Christmas Island for a Department of Immigration and Border Protection psychiatrist missing on the remote Island.
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The Australian man, who works as a psychiatrist for employees who work on the island's immigration detention centre, did not turn up for a flight on Tuesday, sparking the search.
His car was believed to be found near the Winifred Beach walking trail, which is notorious for sinkholes and unpredictable terrain. But a source on the island said the car was then found to be owned by two scientists on the island who had gone for a walk in the beach.
Shire president of Christmas Island, Gordon Thomson, said a Czech tourist went missing in the same area on the island five years ago, and his body was never found.
"It's unlikely he will be found," Mr Thomson said. "Our experience is it's very hard to find people who get lost in this area."
An Australian Federal Police spokesperson said a land and sea search was underway and that the missing man was not a detainee.
It is understood the man worked for the Employment Assistance Program, which offers psychological assistance to people working for the Immigration Department's Christmas Island detention centre.
A spokesman for Immigration Minister Scott Morrison referred the matter to the AFP, saying they were "unable to provide information at this time."
