Australian Brothers Missing in Mexico as Federal Police Join Search

Two Australian brothers, Callum and Jake Robinson, have gone missing while on a surfing trip in Mexico's Baja California region. Mexican authorities have found an abandoned camping site, a mobile phone, and a vehicle linked to the missing trio, and three people have been arrested in connection with the case.

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Geeta Pillai
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Australian Brothers Missing in Mexico as Federal Police Join Search

Australian Brothers Missing in Mexico as Federal Police Join Search

Two brothers from Perth, Australia, Callum and Jake Robinson, have gone missing while on a surfing trip in Mexico's Baja California region. The pair were last seen on Saturday near the K-38 surf spot, along with their American companion, 30-year-old Jack Carter Rhoad. The disappearance has prompted the Australian Federal Police to join the search efforts alongside Mexican authorities.

Why this matters: The disappearance of the Australian brothers in Mexico highlights the risks faced by travelers in certain regions of the country, where violent crime and cartel activity are prevalent. The disappearance of the Australian brothers in Mexico highlights the risks faced by travelers in certain regions of the country, where violent crime and cartel activity are prevalent. This incident underscores the need for governments and travelers to exercise caution and take necessary precautions when venturing into areas with high crime rates.

Mexican authorities have discovered an abandoned camping site, a mobile phone, and a vehicle that may be linked to the missing trio. Three, arrested, connection, missing Local media reports suggest that a burnt-out ute matching the description of the one the group was driving has been found on a ranch in nearby Santo Tomás.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed concern over the disappearance, stating that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is working with local authorities to investigate. "This is a really concerning situation," Albanese said. "Our embassy in Mexico is working with local authorities as well to try to ascertain what has happened here."

María Elena Andrade Ramírez, Baja California's chief prosecutor, said that abandoned tents and evidence linking the three, arrested, concerns, grow, missing to the missing men have been found, but would not elaborate on whether they were suspects or witnesses. "All lines of investigation are open at this point," Andrade Ramírez stated. "We cannot dismiss any of them until we find the whereabouts of these people and establish what happened in this case."

The brothers' mother, Debra Robinson, has appealed for help to find her sons on Mexican social media, saying she has not heard from them since Saturday and "this is a very dire situation." The family hopes to travel to Mexico as soon as possible. "They have not contacted us since April 27 ... they are travelling with another friend; an American citizen," Debra Robinson said.

DFAT has confirmed it is helping the family, but for reasons of privacy obligations, cannot provide further comment. Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed her thoughts are with the families of the missing men. "I can indicate our embassy in Mexico and the Australian Federal Police are working in support of local authorities, that my department is offering consular support to the families concerned," Wong said.

Callum Robinson, a type 1 diabetic, did not return to work in San Diego as scheduled, raising concerns about his medical condition. The trio was driving a white Chevrolet Colorado utility with Californian number plates. WA Premier Roger Cook described the situation as "horrible" and expressed his desire for the boys to come home safely.

This incident is a harsh warning of the risks faced by travelers in certain regions of Mexico. In 2015, two Western Australian surfers, Adam Coleman and Dean Lucas, were murdered in western Sinaloa state in Mexico's north-west. Baja California has one of Mexico's highest rates of violent crime, with warring cartels fighting for control of the lucrative drug trade.

The search for the missing men continues, and the Australian lacrosse community and global lacrosse family have been urged to share information about the case in the hope that Callum, Jake, and Jack are found safe and sound. The Australian government advises travelers in Mexico to exercise a high degree of caution in view of the threat of violent crime. The world watches and waits for news of the missing men, as their families cling to hope for a positive outcome in this distressing situation.

Key Takeaways

  • Two Australian brothers, Callum and Jake Robinson, missing in Mexico's Baja California region.
  • Last seen near K-38 surf spot with American companion Jack Carter Rhoad.
  • Mexican authorities find abandoned camping site, mobile phone, and vehicle linked to trio.
  • Australian government joins search efforts, advises high caution due to violent crime.
  • Family appeals for help, hopes to travel to Mexico as search for missing men continues.