Current Date: 28 Jul, 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
8 Interesting Facts About The Unsinkable Ship, TITANIC

8 Interesting Facts About The Unsinkable Ship, TITANIC

If you ask your friends what's the most famous ship in history the answer in most cases will be the same, of course the legendary Titanic. Its history is full of mysteries, at first it was a source of hope and national pride as well as proof of the triumphs of mankind but it soon became a source of nostalgia and pain, the extent of which cannot be described in words.

The mysterious secret of Dr James Barry

The mysterious secret of Dr James Barry

Before women were allowed to enroll in medical school, Margaret Ann Bulkley studied medicine and assumed the identity of Dr. James Barry for 56 years while dressing as a man. After 46 years of service as an army doctor officer, her secret was not made public until after her death in 1865.

Nathan's Famous Doctor Stunt

Nathan's Famous Doctor Stunt

When Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs first opened in 1916, the owner hired people to dress as doctors and eat hot dogs outside his shop, to convince people his hot dogs were healthy.

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.

What is the story behind Wrigley chewing gum?

What is the story behind Wrigley chewing gum?

Wrigley's was originally a soap company that gifted baking powder with their soap. The baking powder became more popular than the soap so they switched to selling baking powder with chewing gum as a gift. The gum became more popular than the baking powder so the company switched to selling gum.

How a Total Lunar Eclipse Saved Christopher Columbus in 1504

How a Total Lunar Eclipse Saved Christopher Columbus in 1504

In 1504, Christopher Columbus was stranded in Jamaica with natives who refused to give him food. But he knew the date and time of an upcoming lunar eclipse. So he told the natives that his gods were angry at their treatment of him, and would provide a clear sign. Once the eclipse started, the natives raced to give him food and begged for mercy.

Ea-Nasir: world's oldest written customer complaint

Ea-Nasir: world's oldest written customer complaint

This clay tablet, written in cuneiform, is the oldest known written customer complaint about the delivery of poor quality copper ingots. Originally from ancient Babylon, the tablet dates back to 1750 BCE, and it was written by a customer named Nanni to a merchant named Ea-Nasir. It is currently housed in the British Museum.

How 18th Century Women’s Rights Movements Shaped Modern Equality

How 18th Century Women’s Rights Movements Shaped Modern Equality

The 18th century marked a turning point in the quest for women’s rights, as passionate voices challenged centuries of gender inequality and laid the groundwork for modern feminism. From pioneers like Mary Wollstonecraft to revolutionary declarations and early advocacy, this era sparked debates on education, political participation, and social justice that continue to resonate today. Journey through the origins of women’s rights movements and discover how their bold ideas shaped the fight for equality.

Quaker Oats Fed Children with Radioactive Oatmeal

Quaker Oats Fed Children with Radioactive Oatmeal

In the 1940s and 1950s, Quaker Oats and MIT conducted experiments on radioactive iron and calcium-containing cereal. The diet was part of a study to see if the nutrients in Quaker oatmeal traveled throughout the body. In January 1998, a $1.85 million settlement was reached for 30 victims who came forward.