Photo: Western Australia Police Force
Carolina Wilga, a 26-year-old German tourist, was found alive in Australia's Outback on Friday (July 11), twelve days after she went missing. She was last seen on June 29 at a general store in Beacon, a small town 320 kilometers northeast of Perth, Western Australia. Her disappearance sparked a large-scale search effort.
A member of the public discovered Wilga wandering on a forest trail late Friday. According to Western Australia Police Force Inspector Martin Glynn, she was in a "fragile" state but had no serious injuries. Wilga was airlifted to a hospital in Perth for treatment. Glynn stated, "I think once we do hear her story, it will be a remarkable story," emphasizing the challenging conditions she endured in the remote environment.
The police helicopter crew located her abandoned van on Thursday in the Karroun Hill Nature Reserve, 22 miles north of Beacon. The van, a 1995 Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon, was equipped with solar panels and drinking water reserves. It appeared to have become stuck in mud, with recovery boards under its rear wheels. Authorities believe Wilga became lost and was not the victim of a crime.
The area where Wilga was found is vast, covering nearly 1,200 square miles. Overnight temperatures in the region were as low as 36 degrees Fahrenheit, adding to the harsh conditions she faced. Despite the challenges, Glynn described the discovery of Wilga as a "great result" for her family and search teams.