NEED TO KNOW

• The mother of a missing backpacker has issued an emotional plea on social media as police continue to search for her daughter, almost two weeks after she was last seen, according to reports

• Western Australia Police Force confirmed on Thursday, July 10, that 26-year-old Carolina Wilga’s abandoned vehicle had been found in the outback

• Police confirmed the missing woman, who has been backpacking around the country for the last two years, “was not at the scene”

The mother of a missing backpacker in Australia has shared an emotional post on social media as the search for her daughter continues, nearly two weeks after she was last seen or heard from.

On Thursday, July 10, Western Australia Police Force shared an update regarding Carolina Wilga, 26, from Germany, after officers located her abandoned vehicle at around 1:10 p.m. local time in the Karroun Hill area, in the north-east Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, a Facebook post confirmed.

The Mitsubishi Delica van with the WA registration plates 1HDS 330 that was being driven by Wilga, who has been backpacking within Australia for the last two years, “is believed to have suffered mechanical issues,” police said in the post.

“Carolina Wilga was not at the scene. The search to locate her is continuing, with additional resources being deployed to the area,” police added.

Wilga was last seen and in contact with friends on June 29. She was spotted arriving at a store at the corner of Lucas Street and Shemeld Street in Beacon at around 12:10 p.m. local time that day in her van, and departed the area around five minutes later. She hasn’t been seen or heard from since, police confirmed.

Amid the ongoing search, a woman believed to be Wilga’s mother commented on a police post, per 7 News.

“I’m her mother and need her help, as I can’t do much from Germany,” she wrote, per The West Australian.

“Carolina is sorely missed,” she added, according to the outlet. “If anyone has any information, please contact the police. Please keep your eyes open.”

Wilga’s family, who she regularly speaks to, hasn’t heard from her since June 18, per 9News.

Prior to her disappearance, Wilga had “been working at mine sites in regional WA, and primarily residing in hostels when in the metropolitan area.”

At approximately 4:30 p.m. on June 28, which is the day before she was last seen, Wilga was spotted visiting a convenience store on Stirling Terrace, near the intersection of Goomalling-Toodyay Road in Toodyay, before traveling to the Dowerin area, police wrote on Facebook.

“Ms. Wilga is described as being of German origin, of a slim build, with long wavy brown hair and brown eyes. She has several tattoos, including one which depicts symbols on her left arm,” the post read.

Officers believe Wilga’s phone has been switched off, per The West Australian.

“They are investigating — not that it’s a homicide at this point — but we want our very best capabilities to investigate something that is very concerning to us,” Police Commissioner Col Blanch said on Wednesday, per the outlet, which stated that Wilga’s family is thought to be traveling to Western Australia.

“We are very concerned for her welfare,” Blanch added, according to 9News.

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Police have urged anybody with any information or drone shots in the area of Beacon or the surrounding north-east Wheatbelt area, shot between June 29 and July 4, to get in touch and upload the footage.

Western Australia Police Force did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.

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