Current Date: 06 Sep, 2026
{{entry.title}}

1972 Andes Plane Crash Survivor recall the terrifying Struggles to Stay Alive

On October 13, 1972, a plane carrying a rugby team from Uruguay crashed in the Andes between Chile and Argentina. The survivors were in brutal conditions - high altitude, bitter cold, and the lack of food—and faced the most terrible choice—eating the frozen flesh of their dead friends or starving to death themselves.

Due to the desperate measures the survivors had to take in order to survive, the 1972 plane crash in the Andes mountain range produced one of the most well-known survivor stories in history. They had to eat the frozen flesh of their dead friends in order to survive; otherwise, they would starve to death.

On October 13, 1972, a plane carrying a Uruguayan rugby team crashed in the Andes between Chile and Argentina. 12 people were instantly killed in the collision. After a few hours, five more people would pass away, and one more would die a week later. Seventeen days after the crash, an avalanche claimed the lives of eight more people.

1972 Andes Plane Crash Survivor recall the terrifying Struggles to Stay Alive 1
Photo Credit: elitereaders

Coche, also known as Jose Luis Inciarte, was one of the survivors. He and the others who stayed had to endure harsh circumstances like the high altitude, bitter cold, and a severe lack of food. Coche and his companions were forced to eat their dead friends’ bodies during the 72 days that passed before their eventual rescue.

1972 Andes Plane Crash Survivor recall the terrifying Struggles to Stay Alive 2
Photo Credit: elitereaders

Coche, who is now old, discussed their terrifying experience on the British daytime program The Morning. He claimed that forcing himself to eat his friends’ flesh required “a great effort of energy and mind.”

However, he continued, the tale “doesn’t live with him.”

“There was no other option if you wanted to stay alive,” he said.

“We made a meeting between all and we argued whether to do it or not to do it, not to do it seemed to mean to die, everybody decided to eat.”

“When you went to take a piece of flesh, the body of your friend, their frozen body, the hand doesn’t obey and you have to make a great effort of energy and mind to make your arm obey, and then it obeys, not immediately.”

“It was the same with opening mouth to put it inside the mouth and swallow.”

The survivors agreed to give up their flesh if they perished so that the others would live.

1972 Andes Plane Crash Survivor recall the terrifying Struggles to Stay Alive 3
Photo Credit: elitereaders

Nearly three months after the crash, those who were still alive were rescued when two of the survivors hiked for ten days in search of assistance and eventually came across herdsman Sergio Catalán, who informed the authorities.

When asked if he thought he would make it out of the mountains alive, Coche said: “Most days I thought I was going to go out from there… I had a great confidence with them to reach some place and they did it.”

“But other days, in those terrible days that we were waiting for them, I [thought] that they were not going to reach any place, so I put my date of dying on December 24.”

Memories of the Andes, a book by Coche, is based on their encounter. The 1993 film “Alive” told the story of their ordeal. According to Coche, some details in the movie were made up, while others were true to their story.

1972 Andes Plane Crash Survivor recall the terrifying Struggles to Stay Alive 4
Photo Credit: elitereaders
1972 Andes Plane Crash Survivor recall the terrifying Struggles to Stay Alive 5
Coche, along with fellow survivors Roberto Canessa and Carlos Páez Rodríguez, returned to the scene of the plane crash years after. Photo Credit: elitereaders

The forced cannibalism of the survivors made headlines all over the world. When they explained the pact that the survivors made to the families of those who were eaten, the initial outcry subsided and they no longer faced criticism.

Similar Stories
The History Behind the “No One Dies Alone” Program

The History Behind the “No One Dies Alone” Program

In 1986, while doing a night shift at the hospital, Sandra Clarke, a registered nurse, was asked by an elderly patient to stay. She promised to be back after checking on her other patients, but by the time she returned, the gentleman had passed away. Clarke became one of the key figures in launching No One Dies Alone, a program that allows volunteers to sit with terminal patients who have no one else.

Why the Word ‘Pen’ Comes from the Latin ‘Penna’ Meaning Feather

Why the Word ‘Pen’ Comes from the Latin ‘Penna’ Meaning Feather

The humble word “pen” carries a rich history rooted in ancient times, derived from the Latin word penna, meaning “feather.” Long before modern pens revolutionized writing, feather quills—especially from geese—were the essential tools of scribes, scholars, and artists. This article journeys through the origins of the pen, its evolution, and fascinating trivia about the timeless connection between feathers and writing.

Ancient Egyptians Had Pregnancy Tests Over 3500 Years Ago

Ancient Egyptians Had Pregnancy Tests Over 3500 Years Ago

The ancient Egyptians used a pregnancy test that involved potentially pregnant women peeing on barley and wheat seeds. Plant growth indicated pregnancy: barley for a boy and wheat for a girl. Later tests revealed that pregnant women's urine causes plant growth 70% of the time, whereas non-pregnant women's urine does not.

Archaeologists Uncover 2,000-Year-Old Amazonian Cities Using Lidar Technology

Archaeologists Uncover 2,000-Year-Old Amazonian Cities Using Lidar Technology

Deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon, archaeologists have uncovered an ancient network of urban settlements once inhabited by the Upano people about 2,000 years ago. Using cutting-edge lidar technology, these discoveries reveal a highly organized society featuring sophisticated agricultural systems, drainage canals, and extensive road networks. This transformative find challenges long-held assumptions about ancient Amazonian societies and sheds light on a complex civilization thriving in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions.

The World’s First Seismograph: How Ancient China Detected Earthquakes 1,800 Years Ago

The World’s First Seismograph: How Ancient China Detected Earthquakes 1,800 Years Ago

Over 1,800 years ago, long before modern technology, the ancient Chinese astronomer and inventor Zhang Heng created the world’s first seismograph in 132 AD. This ingenious bronze device could detect distant earthquakes by releasing small balls from dragons’ mouths into toads’ mouths—each indicating a different compass direction. Its historic detection of an earthquake 400 miles away astonished the imperial court and transformed the way societies understood and responded to seismic events.

George Dantzig solved two famous “unsolved” problems in statistics mistakenly as assignment

George Dantzig solved two famous “unsolved” problems in statistics mistakenly as assignment

In 1939, George Dantzig arrived late to his statistics class. On the board were two famous “unsolved” problems in statistics written as an example by his professor. Dantzig mistook the examples for homework assignments. He solved the “unsolved” problems and submitted the homework to his professor a few days later. His solutions earned him a doctorate.

Marion Stokes recorded 30 years of television

Marion Stokes recorded 30 years of television

Marion Stokes, a Philadelphia woman began taping whatever was on television in 1979 and didn’t stop until her death in 2012. The 71,000 VHS and Betamax tapes she made are the most complete collection preserving this era of TV. They are being digitized by the Internet Archive.

The Assassination Of King Alexander

The Assassination Of King Alexander

The assassination of King Alexander of Yugoslavia marked a pivotal moment in the country's history. This article delves into the rise and reign of King Alexander, exploring his early life and ascension to the throne. It also examines the political and social climate in interwar Yugoslavia, setting the stage for the tensions and challenges that ultimately culminated in his tragic assassination. By understanding the context in which this event unfolded, we can better grasp the significance and impact it had on the nation and its future.