Sunday morning, reports the electronic newspaper “Actualidad” of Tierra del Fuego, a serious incident involving at least one Belgian took place. It happened in Argentina, near Ushuaia. “A Belgian tourist who was hitchhiking is in serious condition after a head-on collision north of Tolhuin,” headlines the media, adding photos that say a lot about the shock.
The violent collision occurred between a Toyota Corolla traveling from Río Grande and a Chery Fullwin traveling from Ushuaia. It was in this vehicle that two Belgian tourists were hitchhiking on the outskirts of the city. “The Chery vehicle was driven by René Israel Vega, a 42-year-old man.” The accident took place about 5 kilometers north of Tolhuin from where the police and emergency services arrived. “A sanitary cordon was set up towards the Río Grande hospital for two of the injured who were more seriously affected”. It is the driver of the Chery and a Belgian tourist named Justine Dejemeppe. The latter, wrote the Argentine media, suffered a severe blow to the spine, “losing the sensitivity of her lower limbs”.
The information had been confirmed in Belgium where we are in shock. We thus learn that the 23-year-old Belgian was operated on at the level of the spine. Justine is no stranger. Before completing brilliant law studies in Saint-Louis and at the ULB, she made a name for herself on the athletics tracks where she excelled among young people, in the 400m. She was also crowned Belgian champion in the discipline.
This Thursday, the terrible news fell. We learn from our Argentinian colleagues that Justine Dejemeppe died of her injuries. Our editorial staff wishes sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.