DFAT confirms former Hobart man Andrew Gaskell, 25, is missing in Malaysia

A HOBART family is clinging to hope that their son emerges alive and well from a Malaysian rainforest 10 days after he entered the jungle and disappeared.

Tasmanian Andrew Gaskell, centre, has been missing in Malaysia for more than a week.

A HOBART family is clinging to hope that their son emerges alive and well from a Malaysian rainforest 10 days after he entered the jungle and disappeared.

Andrew Gaskell, who has been travelling through Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo since August, was reported missing on Thursday.

The 25-year-old avid hiker had embarked on a trek in the remote Mulu National Park, known for its summits and cave systems, on October 18.

He is now several days overdue and family members have been unable to make contact since Tuesday.

Police said it was unusual for the engineer to be out of contact for this long, however the communication system is poor in the area.

Andrew Gaskell and friend and Sarawak resident Santiago Nasution, who says he believes Mr Gaskell will be OK. Picture: FACEBOOK/SUPPLIED

A Malaysian friend reported Mr Gaskell missing to police prompting local authorities to launch a search and rescue operation.

Local media said the rescuers had extended the search area in a bid to find the backpacker.

Friend and Sarawak resident Santiago Nasutio, told the Mercury he believed Mr Gaskell would be OK.

“I’m worried and hope he comes back OK,” he said.

“He visited my house a few weeks ago, he’s a nice guy.

“I’m waiting for new information, God willing he is saved.”

Tasmania Police is working with federal and overseas authorities to help locate him.

“It’s understood Mr Gaskell entered the Mulu National Park in Malaysia on or around the 18th of October and his family have unfortunately been unable to make contact with him,” Acting Inspector Darren Latham said.

“It’s unclear how long he was walking for in the national park (and) the information I have is mobile contact is very difficult in the area. Malaysian authorities have launched a search and rescue operation as of first light this morning.”

TIMELINE August 2: Arrives in Kuching, Sarawak’s capital city in Malaysian Borneo August 18: Treks into the jungle of Bako National Park August 27: Visits Sarawak’s Bengoh Dam Spetember 15: Travels to the town of Sibu October 1: Visits Similajau National Park. October 9: Spends six nights camping at Niah National Park October 18: Hikes into Mulu National Park

Acting Insp Latham said it was too early to determine whether Mr Gaskell was just overdue or “whether there is something else going on there”.

He said Mr Gaskell’s family was anxious but had strong support.

“It is our intention to provide whatever support or information back to (his family) that we can,” Acting Insp Latham said.

“Certainly they are very concerned and keen to hear from him.”

A family friend in Malaysia is en route to the region in which Mr Gaskell was travelling.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was co-ordinating with local authorities to locate Mr Gaskell.

“Due to privacy obligations, we are unable to provide further information,” a DFAT spokeswoman said.

Mr Gaskell, who grew up in Hobart, has been living in Queensland for the past three years.

Former colleagues were shocked on hearing the news of his disappearance.

Mr Gaskell set out on an open-ended trip in August.

Missing Tasmanian man Andrew Gaskell, centre, has been posting his adventures in Malaysia on Facebook. Picture: FACEBOOK/SUPPLIED.

“I will be embarking on a journey beginning somewhere in Asia and heading in a generally westward direction for an indefinite period of time,” he wrote on his website.

Mr Gaskell has kept a detailed blog of his trip through Sarawak, where he appears to be relishing the adventure and friendships formed with locals.

“The proposition of trekking through the jungle to explore the numerous capes/bays/beaches/sea cliffs of Bako National Park is an enticing one. Thus, I am in high spirits,” he wrote in August.

Tasmania Police has urged anyone with friends backpacking in Malaysia to share posts about Mr Gaskell in case any other backpackers have seen him in recent days.

Originally published as DFAT confirms former Hobart man Andrew Gaskell, 25, is missing in Malaysia