In a remarkable survival story, five individuals endured more than 36 hours in an alligator-infested swamp following an emergency landing in the Bolivian Amazon. This astonishing tale, shared by local authorities and the pilot, underscores the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
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According to Wilson Avila, the director of the emergency operations center in the Beni region, “Everyone on board—three women, a child, and the pilot—were rescued from their perch atop the capsized plane in excellent condition.” Their safe return is a testament to their bravery and the swift response of the local community.
The aircraft was en route from the town of Baures to the north-central city of Trinidad, roughly 180 kilometers away, when it encountered unexpected difficulties. Andres Velarde, the 29-year-old pilot of the single-engine plane, recounted the harrowing experience from his hospital bed, explaining, “The plane suddenly began to lose altitude.”
Mr. Velarde described the chilling scene, stating, “We found ourselves surrounded by alligators that came within three meters of us.” Remarkably, he suspects that the leaking kerosene from the plane helped deter the toothy predators from approaching too closely. To add to their ordeal, they also encountered an anaconda lurking in the murky water.
To survive, the group relied on a local cassava flour that one of the passengers had brought along. “We couldn’t drink water, and we couldn’t go anywhere else because of the alligators,” Mr. Velarde lamented, highlighting the dire circumstances they faced.
Their rescue came after local fishermen spotted them, quickly facilitating their transfer to a nearby hospital for treatment. In regions like Beni, where paved roads are scarce and often poorly maintained, air taxis have become a vital mode of transportation.
As Mr. Velarde’s story illustrates, the struggle for survival is often accompanied by an unexpected sense of community and support, reminding us that even in the most challenging situations, hope can prevail.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
