The discovery of Cleo Smith in Western Australia has gone global as news of the four-year-old’s incredible rescue grips headlines around the world.
Against all odds, Cleo was found alive in a locked house in Carnarvon, 18 days after she went missing during a camping trip with her family.
Pictures of Cleo Smith recovering in a hospital bed went viral all around the globe after WA Police shared the image to their social media for all to see.
The miracle we all hoped for. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/zOd5WDTA1A
— WA Police Force (@WA_Police) November 3, 2021
The image of a smiling Cleo, waving from her hospital bed while eating an ice-block, quickly dominated international news headlines, capturing hearts all around the world, as did details of her early morning dramatic rescue. In the UK, BBC Breaking News ran the announcement of Cleo’s rescue as its leading story.
Missing four-year-old Cleo Smith found alive in Australia more than two weeks after vanishing from remote campsite https://t.co/JbZNkwcXsp
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) November 2, 2021
American news organisation, CNN, included the press conference from WA Police of Cleo’s rescue as well as the first pics of the rescued four-year-old and the dramatic bodycam footage of her early morning rescue.
A four-year-old girl who went missing from a remote campsite more than two weeks ago in Western Australia has been found alive, local police said in a statement https://t.co/ibqXkkL1Uw
— CNN (@CNN) November 3, 2021
The Daily Star dubbed Cleo Smith the ‘Aussie Maddie McCann’ after parallels were made between Cleo and the still missing British McCann, who was also snatched while sleeping from a family holiday.
Miracle as ‘Aussie Maddie McCann’ found alive weeks after tot vanished from campsitehttps://t.co/G0rJvGG5fh
— Daily Star (@dailystar) November 2, 2021
Closer to home, Prime Minister Scott Morrison thanked the officers who helped find Cleo in a post to social media.
“What wonderful, relieving news. Cleo Smith has been found and is home safe and sound. Our prayers answered,” he wrote.
“Thank you to the many police officers involved in finding Cleo and supporting her family.”
View this post on Instagram
Host of The Project, Carrie Bickmore broke down in tears while discussing the rescue of Cleo. She also posted a news alert photo to Instagram alongside the caption, “Oh sweetheart. What an amazing effort by WA police. Thinking of little Cleo and her family tonight”.
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Singer Marcia Hines wrote in a Twitter post, “This is the outcome Australia has been praying for. Welcome home #CleoSmith”.
This is the outcome Australia has been praying for. Welcome home #CleoSmith #Cleo pic.twitter.com/Sg3smstT5e
— Marcia Hines (@TheMarciaHines) November 2, 2021
Deputy Commissioner Col Blanch made the announcement that police had found Cleo Smith on November 3.
“It’s my privilege to announce that in the early hours of this morning the Western Australia Police Force rescued Cleo Smith,” he said.
“This is the outcome we all hoped and prayed for.”