Carolina Wilga, a 26-year-old German backpacker from Castrop-Rauxel, was found alive after being missing for 12 days in the remote Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. She disappeared on June 29, 2025, while traveling through Australia and was last seen near the Beacon area, approximately 330 kilometers from Perth. Her van was discovered abandoned in a nature reserve, where she had reportedly left it after it became bogged down. Wilga survived in harsh conditions by drinking rainwater, sleeping in caves, and enduring mosquito attacks that left her in a fragile state. She suffered a head injury from a van crash, which contributed to her disorientation and prolonged disappearance. A member of the public found her injured and dehydrated on a remote road, leading to a police rescue. Wilga spent five nights recovering at Perth's Fiona Stanley Hospital before being discharged. She expressed gratitude for the support received during her ordeal and credited the community's assistance for her survival. The German consulate also provided aid during her recovery.