Hunt for Aboriginal men who 'raped two European women tourists at gunpoint after breaking into their car'

A huge manhunt has been launched for three Aboriginal men who allegedly raped two European women tourists at gunpoint in central Australia.

The women, aged 21 and 28, were sleeping in their car near Alice Springs when the attackers broke into their car in the dead of night and sexually assaulted them.

Police declined to say which European country the women were from, but outback Australia is popular with young Britons seeking adventure in the dusty heart of the country.

Police are searching for three Aboriginal men who are believed to have attacked the women

The two woman were confronted and raped near the Alice Springs in Australia



Detectives described the attack as a 'disgraceful act against humanity'.

They said they were confident of catching the offenders, who will face life in prison if convicted.

Commander Michael Murphy said the women were not physically injured but the psychological damage was immense.

'They are going to need many years of counselling to get over this trauma,' he said.



Teams of police have been scouring the Alice Springs region for a dark green Toyota car that was seen in the area where the assaults took place.

Murphy said the two traumatised women approached a police post on the outskirts of the town in the early hours of the morning to report they had been sexually assaulted.

The women told police they were sleeping in their vehicle overnight when the men, described as being in their 20s, approached their car at 4am.

'It's very cruel, it's very aggressive. It (the attack) is on two innocent females visiting our country.

'They're both international tourists and obviously very traumatised by the event.

'Their vehicle was broken into and three Aboriginal males allegedly forced the women to have sex with them.

'One of the males was armed with what has been described as a rifle ,' said Commander Murphy.

British travellers Peter Falconio and his girlfriend Joanne Lees were attacked in the outback and Falconio was killed



The men held the women hostage for about an hour, raping them and stealing cigarets, before speeding off in their car.



Police later saw a vehicle similar to the Toyota reported to have been near the women's car travelling through Alice Springs. The officers gave pursuit but lost sight of the car.

Commander Murphy said police wanted to speak to a group of cyclists who witnessed the police pursuit.

'We're treating this incident very seriously. Members of the public are urged not to approach the vehicle or its occupants as they may be armed.'

Eleven years ago Britons Peter Falconio and his girlfriend Joanne Lees were involved in an incident as they travelled north from Alice Springs in their campervan.

Mr Falconio was shot and believed killed - although his body has never been found - after their vehicle was waved down by a stranger.