The Andes Flight Disaster is one of the most amazing and shocking survival stories in history. It happened in 1972 when a plane carrying 45 people crashed in the Andes mountains, South America. What the survivors went through teaches us about bravery, teamwork, and how far people can go to stay alive.
On October 13, 1972, a plane from Uruguay was flying to Chile. Onboard were a rugby team, their friends, and family members. But bad weather and mistakes in navigation caused the plane to crash into the snowy Andes mountains.
Twelve people died right away. The others were left in freezing cold conditions, with no food or proper clothing to protect them. Some people were badly hurt, and as days passed, more died due to injuries and the harsh environment.
The survivors faced many challenges. They were stuck on a mountain, surrounded by snow, with no way to call for help. The little food they had, like chocolates and wine, ran out quickly.
To stay alive, they melted snow for drinking water and huddled together inside the plane’s wreckage to keep warm. Every day was a fight to survive in temperatures as low as -30°C (-22°F).
When the food ran out, the survivors had to make a very difficult choice. To stay alive, they decided to eat the bodies of their friends who had died in the crash. It was a choice they made with heavy hearts, knowing it was the only way to survive in such extreme conditions.
After many weeks, the survivors realized no one was coming to rescue them. Two brave men, Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa, decided to climb down the mountains to find help. They walked for 10 days through deep snow and freezing cold until they found a shepherd in Chile.
The shepherd quickly contacted the authorities, and a rescue mission began.
On December 22, 1972—72 days after the crash—16 survivors were finally rescued. They had spent more than two months in the mountains, facing hunger, cold, and fear.
The Andes Flight Disaster is a powerful story of survival. It shows us how strong humans can be when faced with impossible situations. It also teaches us the importance of teamwork and never giving up, even when things seem hopeless.