What happened to the survivors of the 1972 Andes plane crash?
What happened to the survivors of the 1972 Andes plane crash? The 1972 Andes plane crash survivors’ story is one of remarkable resilience and survival against nearly insurmountable odds. After the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crashed in the Andes mountains on October 13, 1972, the survivors—who were members of a Uruguayan rugby team and their friends and family—faced freezing temperatures, avalanches, and limited food supplies. Here’s an outline of what became of them:
Rescue and Recovery:
Seventy-two days after the crash, on December 20, 1972, sixteen survivors were rescued after two of them—Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa—managed a perilous ten-day trek to find help. They reached Chilean authorities and led rescuers back to the crash site, where the remaining survivors were rescued.
Public Reaction and Fame:
The survivors were initially met with a mix of awe and shock due to the extraordinary measures they took to survive, including cannibalism. This revelation created a media frenzy, but over time, the public response grew to recognize their ordeal and courage rather than judgment.
Personal Lives and Healing:
Most survivors returned to Uruguay, where they resumed their lives as best they could, though many continued to deal with post-traumatic stress. Some went on to achieve significant personal and professional success, while others struggled with memories of the tragedy. The experience bonded them deeply, and they have stayed connected as a “brotherhood” throughout their lives.
Documentaries, Books, and Films:
Their story became widely known through the 1974 book Alive by Piers Paul Read, which was later adapted into the 1993 film Alive, starring Ethan Hawke as Nando Parrado. Many survivors have shared their personal accounts through interviews, documentaries, and speaking engagements, particularly focusing on themes of resilience, teamwork, and survival.
Advocacy and Humanitarian Work:
Survivors like Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa have turned their experiences into platforms for motivational speaking and humanitarian work. Canessa became a pediatric cardiologist, while Parrado is a motivational speaker and author, sharing the lessons he learned from the ordeal.
Their story remains a powerful example of human endurance, and the survivors’ willingness to share their experiences has inspired generations worldwide.
