Modern Mysteries

Lost children found alive in rainforest 40 days after plane crash

By T.K. Randall
June 10, 2023 ·  22 comments

The children survived against all odds. Image Credit: CC BY 2.0 Jay It's a story that might sound like something straight out of a Hollywood movie, but this real-life tale of survival in a hostile environment against all odds is very much the real deal.

The four siblings (aged 13, nine, four and one) had been traveling to San Jose del Guaviare aboard a Cessna 206 light aircraft with their mother and two pilots when the plane experienced engine problems and ended up crash-landing in Colombia's Amazon rainforest.

All three of the adults died, but the children managed to survive.

What followed was a remarkable feat of survival and endurance as the youngsters - looked after by the eldest sibling who was only 13 - wandered into the jungle to look for help.Meanwhile, a massive search and rescue operation was being carried out involving dozens of soldiers who scoured the dense rainforest for any clues as to the survivors' whereabouts.

As the weeks went on, they found evidence including footprints and objects that the children had dropped, leading them to believe that they could still be alive.

Eventually, after 40 days alone in the jungle, the children were finally located.

They have since been airlifted to hospital where they are receiving treatment.

"I am very grateful, and to mother earth as well, that they were set free," their grandmother said.

Source: BBC News | Comments (22)

Tags: Rainforest, Plane Crash