A tragedy befell a woman in Argentina this Wednesday, Nov. 26. Leticia Lembi, 33, went on a trip with her friends and cousins to Los Acantilados, but when she tried to take a picture on a ledge that has grown popular on social media, she fell 80 feet and died on impact.
Travelers in South America have nothing but high regard for Los Acantilados. The resort is known for its cliffs and scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The picture-perfect, tranquil atmosphere has made the place popular for paragliding, hiking, and even weddings. But lately, in light of Argentina’s vast economic issues, locals now see it as a short, affordable trip that’s just as fun as a tourist haven like Fiji or Iceland.
Lembi was a journalist who had since transitioned into working for a family-owned marketing consultancy firm. Her director at the firm described her by saying, “She was very resourceful in what she did, she covered the beaches in Claromecó for us, we spent a lot of time with her. We stayed in pretty good contact, but she hadn’t worked with us for a long time, because she started at an independent agency.”
The issue here seems to be the cliff. Cliffs tend to be so complex that even experienced adventurers will be the first to say you need to take extra precaution, even if that doesn’t seem understandable to onlookers. According to Argentinian publication Todo Noticias, Lembi’s fall was caused by a defect in the concrete structure of the viewpoint.
Long before Lembi arrived, locals in the area had already been complaining to the government about the staircase showing clear signs that it might soon collapse. The lack of maintenance and neglect didn’t deter most travelers, unfortunately. Sometimes people had traveled for hours just to use the viewpoint, and they weren’t going to pass up the chance. And oftentimes, if it’s your first time there, you might be led to believe that this is how it’s always been — and if it’s good enough for others, it’s good enough for you.
We have seen miracles of people falling to their apparent doom and living to tell the tale. Unbelievable stories about a man who survived in a French ravine for three days with no help and only a bottle of wine in hand. Others survived even longer — in Washington, another man survived a crash and stayed behind his wheel, unable to move for five days due to injuries. They both ended up getting the help they needed in the end.
But with every survival story, there are unfortunately countless stories of people who were not so lucky. Lembi was loved and cared for by her family, and she ultimately became the victim of poor governance. In response, the Los Acantilados Sub-Police Station and prosecutor Carlos Russo have been handed the case for further investigations.
It might be far too little, far too late for Lembi’s family. But if there was a local politician who embezzled the money that was supposed to go into maintaining that viewpoint, now is the time to bring him to book.
