Roberto Canessa relives a plane crash in the Andes 45 years ago

On December 21, 1972, two members of a rugby team from Uruguay – who had been walking through the snow-capped Andes mountains – encountered a shepherd.
They told him they had been in a plane crash and had been walking for 10 days. They had no food and were weak. There were 14 others still back on the plane.
The shepherd rode on horseback for eight hours to contact police, who sent helicopters to find the crash site.
It was over two months earlier, on October 13, 1972, when the chartered plane carrying the rugby team to Santiago, Chile, crashed in the Andes mountains.
Initially, 33 people remained alive. For 70 days, the survivors endured temperatures of 22 degrees below zero waiting for help. It never came.

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[expatinqa]

Suddenly got obsessed watching interviews and documentaries after watching society of the snow from Netflix.

[brixxer]

Wow this man is a great inspiration... what a achievement that he survived that, the 10 days walk, without any shelter in the snowy mountains, with damn cold nights alone is unbelievable!!! 😲😲😲

[JJ-biri]

Absolutely Incredible and sad story. Roberto and Nando are real heroes!

[skyy]

He tells this story and paints a picture in a very articulate way seem to get too excited or emotional ... probably why he survived !!... amazing story !

[Skycop]

I've been fascinated with this story since I was a teenager. What a powerful testimony and a true example of what a man's willpower can get him through.

[fvckperugia]

A fucking hero! Nobody can imagine the pain you felt. Nobody can judge your actions.

[cthrew]

I love the way he keeps talking about his mommy. Very sweet.

[JWC]

This story makes me get out of my chair. To live. Be busy. Exercise. Thank you so much.

[magorzatazapert]

You're not any monsters You're just wonderful heroes 💓

[joesecoges]

Roberto is a hero. I got to meet Roberto a few years ago after suffering a medical problem.what I come to learn is how many l8ves hes saved and touched in the years after the accident. Hes a great inspiration..God bless

[baidon]

This guy is incredibly wise. I saw other survivals talk, but this guy is really smart, well-spoken and deep. Hopefully no one has to go through this ever again.

[kongvolmerii]

Cant help thinking his face has something young about it. Like he is keeping this experience from his youth with him the rest of his life. Great man.

[robertramclam]

I'm a flight attendant for a major airline for 30 years. I've had my share of onboard emergencies. I saw the movie long after I'd heard the story. Words don't describe how I feel about this entire event. I'm so impressed with the humiliation and articulate way how he told his story. How innocent and perseverance and determination paid of. I'm proud of all the survivors especially this man.

[PNW_Sportbike_Life]

WOW! what a strong dude. They don’t make too many like this anymore.

[diegomoreno]

I`ve met this guy in person. Such a blessing

[Adifgreat]

José Luis 'Coche' Inciarte, who lived this tragedy at the age of 24, died from cancer on 27 July 2023. Like most of the passengers on that plane, he was not part of the rugby team.

With a badly injured leg he had to 'operate on' with a razor blade to drain the pus, and seeing the days go by with no news about the expeditionaries (Canessa and Parrado), he decided to wait until Christmas Eve to let himself die in the Andes. Fortunately, the rescue helicopters arrived on 22nd December.

He is described by the survivors as 'the sense of humour in the mountains', and as the one who brought tenderness to the hell they were living in.

[chelseaaguilar]

Im here after hearing Carlitos story, amazing demonstration of human resilience.

[susanastephens]

Incredible courage & willingness to survive . Those that judged them shame on them !

[ladybirdtravels]

The survival of so many after so long just proves that searches for missing flights should NEVER EVER be called off.

[kirnpu]

It is ASTONISHING that they survived! This is a survival story of the ages. Remarkable men!