A blurry image of a man with a dark beard wearing a grey t-shirt and a cap.

Longford man Corey Chugg was reported missing to Tasmania Police on Monday afternoon by a friend. (Supplied: Tasmania Police)

In short:

Longford man Corey Chugg has been missing in bushland near Launceston since Sunday, with Tasmania Police treating the case as a missing person matter.

Mr Chugg has no food and is wearing shorts and a T-shirt, police say.

What’s next?

Police and emergency crews are actively searching in the Nunamara area for Mr Chugg.


A 32-year-old man missing in Tasmania’s north was collecting firewood with a friend when the pair became separated on Sunday, police have said.

Longford man Corey Chugg was reported missing to Tasmania Police on Monday afternoon by a friend, about 24 hours after he had last seen him.

Mr Chugg has not been seen since.

Tasmania Police is now leading a search in bushland about 20 kilometres east of Launceston, along with State Emergency Service (SES) crews.

At a press conference today, Inspector Aleena Crack said some details of the timeline of Mr Chugg’s disappearance were unclear, but that his friend was cooperating with the search investigation.

Emergency services' crews gathered around a table.

Tasmania Police is leading the search along with State Emergency Service crews. (ABC News: Emily Smith)

Delay in reporting ‘not a factor’, say police

Asked if there were any suspicious circumstances, Inspector Crack said it was currently a missing person case.

“We’re treating this as a missing person who has become lost in the bush,” she said.

“Any other inquiries may come up later, but right now we want to find him in the bush.”

Inspector Crack was also asked if police were concerned about the time it took for Mr Chugg to be reported missing, but she said that was not a factor “right now”.

“There’s various reasons that people either report quickly or delay in reporting of somebody going missing,” she said.

“That’s part of any investigation as to why the report was made when it was made.

“Obviously we’ll look into it, but there’s nothing that we’re concerned about right now.”

A group of people wearing Tasmania Police or SES gear, including one person on horseback, standing in a clearing.

Ground search crews, a police helicopter, and a police drone are being used in the search. (Supplied: Tasmania Police)

Man in ‘shorts, top’ with ‘no food’

Inspector Crack said the two men had ventured out into bushland between Nunamara — which is about 20 kilometres north-east of Launceston — and Mount Barrow.

The plan had been the men would conduct the trip together and return home. At some point, they became separated and did not return home together, as planned, police said.

Ground search crews, a police helicopter, and a police drone are being used in the search.

Inspector Crack said Mr Chugg had his phone with him, and the search area police and SES crews were focusing on had been clarified using that data.

Aleena Crack giving a press conference.

Inspector Aleena Crack said the two men had ventured out into bushland between Nunamara and Mount Barrow. (ABC News: Emily Smith)

She said he had disappeared in an area featuring some difficult terrain.

“The area’s been narrowed by phone pings,” Inspector Crack said.

“The terrain is fairly unforgiving up there in some parts, and in others it’s open tracks and bushland.”

Inspector Crack said it did not appear Mr Chugg was prepared to spend any significant time outdoors.

“At the time he’s gone missing, he’s just been in his clothing, alone,” she said.

“Just shorts and a top. Without any rescue equipment or anything like that.

“He didn’t have any food with him.”

Police did not know whether Mr Chugg had any outdoor experience, what sort of footwear he was wearing, or if he had any medical conditions.

Crews searching for Corey Chugg.

Search crews have been “lucky” with weather. (ABC News: Emily Smith)

Search crews ‘lucky’ with weather

Inspector Crack said concerns for Mr Chugg’s welfare would grow as time passed and weather conditions changed.

“We’ve been very lucky with the weather lately, it has been on our side,”

she said.

“We are concerned that it will get colder, and the longer someone is outside and exposed to the elements, the more risk they’re at.”

The Bureau of Meteorology website forecasts that temperatures in the Nunamara area will drop to as low as 6 degrees Celsius tomorrow.