Last year, there were 34 reported cases of Belgians going missing abroad, marking the same figure as the previous year.
The recent disappearance of a 31-year-old Belgian woman in Tasmania on June 17, 2023, has re-ignited concerns about the safety of Belgians travelling abroad.
The woman's vehicle was found near Philosopher Falls waterfall last Tuesday, further mystifying the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. Investigations to locate her are currently underway.
This incident adds to a growing list of Belgians whose whereabouts remain unknown or who have tragically lost their lives abroad. Among these missing individuals is Théo Hayez, who disappeared under unexplained circumstances four years ago while on a holiday in Byron Bay, Australia.
Another distressing case is that of 28-year-old Natacha de Crombrugghe, who went missing in Peru on January 24, 2022. Tragically, her lifeless body was discovered several months later.
Notable rise in international disappearances
The Foreign Affairs department in Belgium has noted a consistent trend of Belgians going missing abroad. These missing person reports typically originate from local authorities or from friends and family of the missing individuals. However, it remains uncertain how many of these missing persons were subsequently located, and if so, whether they were found alive or deceased.
In light of these worrying statistics, the Belgian Foreign Affairs department has launched a communication campagne urging citizens to utilise the 'Travellers Online' platform for registering their travel plans.
This platform allows travellers to register their itinerary, enabling the department to provide swift support and updates in the event of an emergency, such as a crisis, terrorist attack, or accident.
The department guarantees that all personal data submitted via the platform will remain confidential, thereby promoting quicker and more efficient assistance when necessary.
