In Bolivia’s Amazonas region, five people aboard a small aircraft that made an emergency landing managed to survive for 36 hours atop the plane in a crocodile-infested swamp. The rescued passengers were reported to be in good health.
Local officials stated that the missing aircraft was found on Friday by local fishermen in a forested area of the Beni Department in northern Bolivia. The passengers—three women, a child, and the 29-year-old pilot—were airlifted to the hospital by helicopter.
Engine Failure Nearly Led to Disaster
Pilot Andres Velarde said the plane was en route from Baures to Trinidad when it suffered an engine failure, forcing an emergency landing near the Itanomas River. He managed to bring the aircraft down on the edge of a lagoon after losing altitude by steering into a marshy area.
Threat from Crocodiles and an Anaconda
After the crash, the passengers were stranded on top of the aircraft, surrounded by crocodiles. Velarde reported that the predators came as close as three meters at times, but he believed the leaking aircraft fuel kept them away. He also mentioned they saw an anaconda in the area.
The crash survivors stayed alive by eating cassava flour they had with them. Velarde said, “Because of the crocodiles, we couldn’t drink water or move anywhere.”
Rescue Operation Successfully Completed
After the aircraft disappeared from radar on Thursday, a search and rescue operation was launched. Wilson Avila, Director of the Beni Department Emergency Center, stated that the passengers were rescued “in excellent condition.”
Ruben Torres, the Health Director for the Beni Region, noted that while the incident sparked many speculations and theories, the coordinated efforts of all agencies led to a successful rescue.
