Search Intensifies for Missing German Tourist in Australian Outback

MELBOURNE, Australia — Authorities are intensifying aerial search efforts for 26-year-old German tourist Carolina Wilga, who has been missing since her van was discovered abandoned in the Australian Outback. Her last known sighting was on June 29 at a general store in Beacon, a small wheat farming town located approximately 320 kilometers (200 miles) northeast of Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Wilga's family and friends have not heard from her since that date.

The Western Australia Police Force announced that the search operations resumed in the Karroun Hill Nature Reserve, an area covering more than 300,000 hectares (approximately 740,000 acres), where her vehicle was found. Acting Inspector Jessica Securo stated that the dense forest presents significant challenges for ground searches, making aerial surveillance the most effective strategy to locate Wilga. "Given the dense area, our aerial support is our best chance of finding her," Securo said in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on July 11, 2025.

Wilga's van, a 1995 Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon, was located approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles) from any major tracks. It was equipped with solar panels and reserves of drinking water, along with recovery boards designed to provide traction for bogged vehicles. According to Securo, the police believe that Wilga may have become lost after experiencing mechanical issues with her vehicle. "It appears that as she was driving, she’s likely to have become lost and then the car has suffered mechanical issues," she explained. The police do not suspect foul play; instead, they believe Wilga is simply lost in the wilderness.

The search operations have been supported by Premier Roger Cook, who emphasized the urgency and intensity of the ongoing search efforts. "Police are throwing a lot of resources at the search. They’ve moved swiftly now, and the search is ongoing and is resource-intensive. We want to bring Carolina home," Cook stated to the press.

Wilga has been traveling in Australia for two years, working at various mine sites in Western Australia. Her mother, Katja Will, who resides in Castrop-Rauxel, Germany, has made a public appeal for any information that could assist in locating her daughter. "Carolina is still sorely missed. If anyone has any information, please contact the police. Please keep your eyes open!" Will wrote on a post on an official Western Australian Police Force social media platform.

The case of Carolina Wilga raises concerns reminiscent of past incidents involving missing backpackers in the Australian Outback. The notorious case of serial killer Ivan Milat, who murdered several backpackers in the 1990s, remains a dark chapter in the region's history. However, police have stated that they do not believe Wilga is a victim of crime.

As search efforts continue, the community remains hopeful for a positive resolution. The vast and rugged terrain of the Outback presents significant risks for those unaccustomed to its challenges, making the ongoing search for Wilga a race against time. Local authorities encourage anyone who may have seen Wilga or her vehicle to come forward, underscoring the importance of community involvement in locating missing persons.