Four children who survived for 40 days in the hostile Colombian jungle following a plane crash have shared their harrowing story of survival. The group consisted of two sets of siblings: 16-year-old Manuel and 12-year-old Oleg, and 10-year-old Samuel and 6-year-old Juliana. The children and their two pilots survived the crash on a flight from San Jose del Guaviare to Villavicencio on 16 July 2021. Immediately following the crash, the group searched for food and shelter, eventually constructing a makeshift shelter from branches, leaves and tarpaulins.
As they spent more time in the jungle, the group grew increasingly desperate for sustenance, walking through the day and night to find food and water. The siblings later told Sky News that they would lick the walls of a cave for moisture, eat insects and drink river water polluted with gasoline and oil. They even attempted to catch fish with their hands and sticks.
The children highlighted the importance of teamwork and looking after each other as they navigated the unforgiving terrain. Their resilience and determination ultimately led to their rescue: a search plane spotted their makeshift shelter and the children were airlifted to a hospital in Villavicencio for treatment.
Despite their horrifying ordeal, all four children miraculously survived. Manuel spoke to BBC News about the moment they were finally rescued, saying, “We were lost, hungry and thirsty, but when we saw the planes we said, ‘This is it, we’re going to get out of here’. We started to cry and wave, and the planes saw us.”
Survival skills played a crucial role in ensuring the children’s survival. The Guardian reported that the mother of the two younger siblings, who had been traveling with the group, encouraged them to leave her behind so they could survive. This decision likely contributed to their success in surviving for so long in the jungle.
The children’s story of survival highlights the importance of wilderness survival skills, particularly in unpredictable situations such as plane crashes or other emergency situations. It also resonates with the resilience and strength of human beings, particularly children, in times of crisis. Their heroic story serves as a reminder of the power of survival instincts and staying together in the face of adversity.
The children’s story has garnered widespread media attention, with organizations such as The Guardian, BBC News, and Sky News all reporting on their incredible tale of survival. The world will undoubtedly continue to be inspired by the strength and bravery of these young children as they continue to recover and heal from their traumatic experience.
