What was supposed to be a simple domestic flight in Bolivia became a struggle for survival in the Amazon jungle. A plane with five occupants-three women, a child and the pilot-drew on Wednesday in a remote area of the Beni region, forcing the group to remain more than 36 hours trapped in a swamp surrounded by alligators.
The aircraft had departed from bau for Trinidad, in a short route of 180 kilometers. During the flight, the pilot, Andrés Velarde, realized a sudden loss of altitude. With no alternative, he tried to avoid the mountains and managed to land emergency in a marshy area by a pond, where they quickly realized they were surrounded by hazardous animals.
“The alligators reached three meters from us,” said Velarde, 29, after the rescue. The group also spotted an Anaconda nearby while trying to stay safe in an inhospitable and hostile environment. Despite the circumstances, all were found with good health, having survived only with cassava flour that one of the passengers carried in the luggage.
Without access to drinking water and without shape to move, the five remained in the same place until they were rescued on Friday. “We couldn’t leave because of alligators,” the pilot described.
Authorities continue to investigate what has caused the technical failure that led to the plane crash.
Survivors face alligators and snakes for 36 hours after plane crash in the Bolivian Amazon (with video)
– Diário de Notícias (@dntwit)
