The Miracle of the Andes and flight 571.
The Miracle of the Andes is a story that marked and shocked the entire world. More than 50 years have passed since that accident. Some call it the Miracle of the Andes, others describe it as an example of faith and perseverance. It is a story of holding on to life when it is the only thing of value left, as the survivors of this accident did.
The flight 571 of the Uruguayan Air Force was carrying 40 passengers and 5 crew members on a flight from Montevideo to Santiago, Chile. However, out of the 45 people on board, only 16 returned alive after the accident.
The flight was chartered by the president of a Uruguayan Rugby team, with many young people between the ages of 18 and 25, along with some family members. Despite the adverse weather conditions, the flight departed on October 13, 1972. Little did they know, it would lead to a tragic crash.
As the plane faced strong winds during the flight, it began to experience mechanical failures. Losing control, it crashed into one of the vast mountains of the Andes. The plane split in half, presenting a horrific scenario straight out of a horror movie.
After the impact, the survivors found themselves buried in the snow, with screams of pain and desperation echoing among the wreckage.
Many were in shock, and relatives searched for their families among the remains of the plane. The first night they spent there, the most injured succumbed to hypothermia and the dangerous temperatures.
Stranded without hope of rescue, the survivors had to rely on their faith, willpower, and resilience to endure. The cold was overwhelming, feeling like sharp blades cutting through their bodies. The nights were the toughest, but they found ways to survive.
Initially, they found supplies including biscuits, chocolates, and simple foods among the luggage. But after the food ran out, they faced the ultimate challenge: hunger. In a desperate and unimaginable turn, they resorted to cannibalism to survive.
With their supplies dwindling, they started consuming the bodies of the deceased passengers. It was a traumatizing experience for all involved, with some taking on the daunting task of preparing and offering the bodies in small portions, using the snow to mask the taste.
Over the 72 days they were stranded, the survivors embarked on various expeditions. Eventually, they found the other part of the plane, where they obtained supplies and even managed to repair a radio. On their last expedition, the resilience of two young rugby players was put to the test. After walking for seven days, they reached a stream in Chile, where they were found by a farmer who helped them.
Many wonder why it took so long to rescue them. At the time, statistics showed that in 34 of the accidents in the Andes, there were no survivors. After the young men’s alert, 16 survivors were rescued from the terrible Andes tragedy. They became a symbol of resilience and a miracle, something that will always be framed in history.
