MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – A survivor of the 1972 Andes plane crash has recently spoken about the gut-wrenching decision he and his fellow survivors had to make in order to stay alive in the snowy, desolate mountains. Eduardo Strauch, now 76, was one of the 16 survivors who managed to endure the horrifying ordeal.
After surviving the initial crash, the group of survivors faced extreme isolation and very limited resources. With very little food, they resorted to eating parts of the airplane before eventually making the harrowing decision to consume the remains of their deceased friends. Roberto Canessa, one of the survivors, was the first to suggest that they should eat the bodies in order to survive.
The survivors, who spent 72 days in the Andes mountains, recalled the horror of having to consume human flesh. Despite the repugnance of the situation, they recognized that it was necessary for their survival. Ramon Sabella, another survivor, shared that they made a pact to consume the bodies of those who died from exposure, viewing their deceased friends as the first organ donors.
The Andes plane crash, which took place on October 13, 1972, resulted in the death of 29 passengers. The remaining survivors had to endure extreme conditions and limited resources, which ultimately led to the difficult decision to consume human flesh for survival.
The survivors’ harrowing tale of endurance and their unimaginable decision to consume human remains in order to survive continues to be a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of extreme adversity.