Incredible Survival Story: 4 Children Rescued After Plane Crash in Amazon Forest

Four children have miraculously survived a plane crash and spent 40 days alone in the Amazon forest before being found alive.

The children, aged 13, 9, 4, and 1, were on board a Cessna single-engine propeller plane with three adults when the pilot declared an emergency due to an engine failure.

Unfortunately, the children's mother and two pilots were killed in the crash. The remains of the plane and the bodies of the adults were found two weeks later, but the children were missing.

A massive search operation, called Operation Hope, was launched involving soldiers, volunteers, and indigenous communities.

In May, rescuers discovered items left behind by the children, including a child's drinking bottle, scissors, a hair tie, and a makeshift shelter.

Clues such as bite marks on fruit and small footprints led the search teams to believe that the children were still alive.

The rescue effort covered an area of over 323 square kilometers (125 square miles) and involved helicopters broadcasting messages from the children's grandmother, urging them to stay in one place and dropping packets of food.

Finally, after 40 days, the children were found by the search team. They were malnourished and covered in insect bites but in relatively stable condition.

The children's survival can be attributed to their knowledge of the rainforest and the resources it provides.

They used cassava flour, known as fariña, which they took from the wreckage, to sustain themselves. When the flour ran out, they resorted to eating seeds and fruits that were in harvest.

The eldest sibling, who was used to looking after the others when their mother was at work, played a crucial role in their survival.

The discovery of the children brought joy to Colombia, with President Gustavo Petro calling it a "magical day."

The story highlights the resilience and survival instincts of the children and the unity between the military and indigenous communities in the search-and-rescue efforts.

Key takeaways:

• Four children, aged 13, 9, 4, and 1, survived a plane crash in the Amazon forest and spent 40 days alone before being found alive.
• The children's mother and two pilots were killed in the crash.
• A massive search operation involving soldiers, volunteers, and indigenous communities was launched to find the missing children.
• The children's survival can be attributed to their knowledge of the rainforest and their ability to find food, including cassava flour and fruits.
• The discovery of the children brought joy to Colombia and showcased the unity between the military and indigenous communities in the rescue efforts.