Found Alive Carolina Wilga, 26, German backpacker missing with serious concerns for welfare. Beacon, Western Australia, 29 June 2025

[BreakingNews]

'Nothing short of remarkable': Carolina Wilga found safe and well

The 26-year-old German backpacker was found alive by a member of the public late on Friday afternoon after a widespread air and land search in WA's outback.

www.abc.net.au

A police spokesperson said Ms Wilga was found "safe and well."

WA Police Inspector Martin Glynn said Ms Wilga was found walking along a bush track at the edge of the Karroun Hill Nature Reserve by a member of the public.

"She is now en route to a hospital in Perth for some medical attention," he said.

"As you can imagine from the trauma she's suffered for the last few days, she's been obviously through a great deal.

"She does have some injuries, she's been ravaged by mosquitoes, she's been through an incredible journey of trauma.

"No doubt, [it] will be a testament to demonstrating her bravery in these circumstances."

Inspector Glynn said Ms Wilga had been airlifted away from Beacon and her family had been notified of her wellbeing.

OMG what a great outcome for her and her family. However the rule is DON'T EVER LEAVE YOUR CAR. She had been travelling in outback Australia for several months, so was a bit aware of the survival tactics. All I can say is she knew some things, but it is also best to stay with the vehicle, travel with another who knows the property and conditions and make sure you have plenty of supplies.

 

[Tealgrove]

I’m thrilled to be wrong!

What a great outcome.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

From what the police say she had plenty of supplies including water.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

If she stayed in the car and didn't have the plentiful provisions that LE said she had, she may very well have died before she was found.
I don't think she went unprepared.

It was taking a wrong turn that led to her being so off track and getting stuck.

If it was me and I hadn't been found in that long in my car, I wouldn't just wait around to die.
She set about saving herself.

 

[Scooby-Doo]

OMG what a great outcome for her and her family. However the rule is DON'T EVER LEAVE YOUR CAR. She had been travelling in outback Australia for several months, so was a bit aware of the survival tactics. All I can say is she knew some things, but it is also best to stay with the vehicle, travel with another who knows the property and conditions and make sure you have plenty of supplies.

She is very lucky.

Travelling solo, especially as a woman, is not a good idea.

No CB radio, where she could have communicated for help, these radios can work where there is no cell phone reception

I am so happy she has been found safe, and her poor parents will now be relieved

 

[Vaderman]

Wow, what an incredible outcome. This girl is a BEAST. Hope she writes a book.

 

[truthfinder2019]

Wow, amazing! What a tough lady.

FANTASTIC !!!!

Carolina Wilga was found by a member of the public injured and ravaged by mosquitoes but, miraculously, alive after 12 days missing in the outback.

 

[musicaljoke]

I don't believe in miracles but I do believe in the endurance of the human spirit and the will to live.

I believe in both and am delighted with this good news.

 

[Andreee]

If she stayed in the car and didn't have the plentiful provisions that LE said she had, she may very well have died before she was found.
I don't think she went unprepared.

It was taking a wrong turn that led to her being so off track and getting stuck.

If it was me and I hadn't been found in that long in my car, I wouldn't just wait around to die.
She set about saving herself.

What a great outcome this is! I agree that each case is different, and whether or not to stay with the vehicle is a tough one sometimes. I recall one case in wintertime where if the stranded person had walked a short distance, they may've been saved.

 

[ShadowsTrail]

I don't believe in miracles but I do believe in the endurance of the human spirit and the will to live.

Not to mentioned how prepared she was. I agree with previous comments that she was probably with her car for a few days.
im so so happy for her family and all the rescuers x

 

[LadyL]

Hi @truthfinder2019,
(IMO) 'perceived' difference in the *order vs disorder* depends if the vehicle is viewed from the front OR back; the second image you've posted is from the back.
TVM!



View attachment 601214
Mitsubishi van was found during a search in the Karroun Hill area of Western Australia. Composite: Western Australia police/PR IMAGE
Carolina Wilga: police rule out foul play in search for missing German backpacker in remote Western Australia

View attachment 601211
Aerial vision of Carolina Wilga's abandoned van show how extremely remote the terrain is
View attachment 601213
Aerial vision of Carolina Wilga's abandoned van show how extremely remote the terrain is.

Carolina Wilga's van, which is believed to have experienced mechanical issues.

On Friday afternoon, a news helicopter captured footage of the abandoned vehicle as police continued their air and land search nearby.

The video in this article has a lot of information: Missing German backpacker Carolina Wilga likely abandoned broken-down van in outback.

MO s
Edit, removed post to Toots, the video has miraculously 'appeared', TA!

it really is astounding that they spotted the van!

 

[Deleted member 367982]

Detective reveals fresh details about missing backpacker's rescue​

Detective reveals fresh details about missing backpacker's rescue

German backpacker Carolina Wilga had been lost in the Western Australian outback for two weeks - surrounded...

www.9news.com.au

 

[jillolantern]

Wow, amazing! What a tough lady.

I dare say that this is the truth and so this was always the likely outcome. IMO

 

[Rocket333]

If she stayed in the car and didn't have the plentiful provisions that LE said she had, she may very well have died before she was found.
I don't think she went unprepared.

It was taking a wrong turn that led to her being so off track and getting stuck.

If it was me and I hadn't been found in that long in my car, I wouldn't just wait around to die.
She set about saving herself.

I was wondering why she was there. Was that reported somewhere that she took a wrong route and got bogged?

 

[TootsieFootsie]

MSN

Sydney Morning Herald

Securo said Wilga’s priority would be to recover, and confirmed that she was in touch with her family back in Germany.

Friends of Wilga’s were also waiting outside the hospital for her arrival on Friday night to welcome her back.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Good work, rescuers/ searchers! A wonderful outcome to see today.

 

[drsleuth]

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/wa-police-give-update-on-search-for-missing-german-backpacker-carolina-wilga/news-story/f8b10afcadaba888f42f153d0b60b75c?

“Our information so far is she spent one day with the car after it became bogged and then she moved on from there. So she was essentially out in the wilderness for about 11 nights, which is significant and just brings us back to how lucky she was, as she was located safe and well and how thankful we are that we managed to find her,” Inspector Securo said.

Inspector Securo said Ms Wilga had “minimal food and water” in the car and was “still in disbelief that she was able to survive” the nightmare situation.

“In her mind, she had convinced herself that she was not going to be located,” Inspector Securo said.

 

[drsleuth]

Wheatbelt District - WA Police Force

Wheatbelt District - WA Police Force. 36,270 likes · 9,297 talking about this. Official Facebook page of the Western Australia Wheatbelt District Police. Know something? Call Crime Stoppers - 1800...

www.facebook.com

Wheatbelt District - WA Police Force​

A statement from Carolina Wilga.
"First and foremost, I want to express a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart – a thank you that truly comes from the depth of my soul! For all the incredible supports during the search for me.
"Previously, I didn’t know where my place was in a culture on the other side of the world to my own, but now, I feel a part of it. I am deeply impressed by the courage, helpfulness, and warmth that has been shown to me here. Western Australia has taught me what it really means to be part of a true community. Here, humanity, solidarity, and care for one another are what truly matter – and in the end, that’s what counts most.
"I am certain that I survived only thanks to this incredible outpouring of support. The thought of all the people who believed in me, searched for me, and kept hoping for me gave me the strength to carry on during my darkest moments. For this, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.
"Especially to the police investigators, searchers, the German Consulate, the medical staff and the wonderful nurses who took care of me with so much compassion. My deepest thanks also go to every single person who simply thought of me – and of course, to my rescuer and angel, Tania!
"Some people might wonder why I even left my car, even though I had water, food, and clothing there. The answer is: I lost control of the car and rolled down a slope. In the crash, I hit my head significantly. As a result of the accident, I left my car in a state of confusion and got lost.
"I am simply beyond grateful to have survived.
Thank you Australia – you are amazing."

 

[Deleted member 367982]

Why do we care about some people who go missing in the bush, but ignore others?

The miraculous survival of German backpacker Carolina Wilga in the West Australian outback was met with joy and relief across the country. But for families of missing Aboriginal men who are still searching for answers, it's prompted uncomfortable questions.

www.abc.net.au

It does appear strange that some people who go missing attract a great deal of attention from media and the authorities, while others receive next to none.
The aunt of one of the Aboriginal people missing in Western Australiz, says the perceived indifference adds to their grief and racism could be a factor.
Carolina went missing a few days after she left Perth. There are I believe currently 147 people missing from Perth and most of them are white who also received very little attention when they went missing.
The elderly man who is still missing in the same bushland where Carolina was found I understand did not have search party's, helicopters and the like looking for him. They didn't even find his car for 5 months.
Good luck to Carolina, she deserved to be found and as it happened a passer-by found her and she desperately wanted to be found so the search party was needed.
Some people, like the man who went missing in bushland on the other side of Beacon may never want to be found in which case sending a search party is only likely to recover a body.
In Carolina's case it was completely out of character for her to be found and that's why the police got onto her disappearance straight away. All IMO of course.

 

[Deleted member 367982]

Carolina's been discharged from hospital and I hope been given the choice of some generous media offers in return for her story.