Five people were rescued after spending 36 hours on planes in a swamp that has permeated Amazon crocodiles.
The small plane was missing for 48 hours on Friday by local fishermen in Bolivia’s Amazonas region.
The survivors — three women, children and a 29-year-old pilot — were rescued in “excellent condition,” said Wilson Avila, director of the Beni Department’s Emergency Operations Center.
A search and rescue mission began Thursday after the plane disappeared from the radar in the Beni division of central Bolivia.
The pilot told local media that while flying from Bauers in northern Bolivia to Trinidad, an engine failure prompted an emergency landing near the Ito River.
Andres Veraldo said the plane suddenly began to lose altitude and was forced to land the ship in a swamp near the lagoon.
The five on board were standing on the plane, “surrounded by crocodiles who came within three metres of us.”
Verard added that he believes that gasoline leaking from the plane kept predators at bay. They also saw the anaconda underwater, he said.
While waiting for the rescue they ate local cassava flour brought by one of the passengers.
“We couldn’t drink water and we couldn’t go anywhere else because of the crocodile,” Verardo said.
After the fishermen discovered the boat, helicopters were sent to transport the survivors to the hospital.
Reuben Torres, director of the Beni Regional Health Department, said there was “a lot of speculation about the incident” and “a lot of theories” after the plane went missing.
“In the end, I’m really happy because all the agencies can come together to find the missing people and save those lives,” he told Reuters.
