5 Miraculously Rescued After Plane Crashes into Alligator-Infested Swamp in Bolivia
Wafric News | May 4, 2025
Bolivia – Five people, including a child, have been rescued nearly two days after their light aircraft crash-landed in a remote, alligator-infested swamp deep in the Amazon jungle of northern Bolivia.
Bolivia – Five people, including a child, have been rescued nearly two days after their light aircraft crash-landed in a remote, alligator-infested swamp deep in the Amazon jungle of northern Bolivia.
The small plane, which departed from Baures and was headed for the city of Trinidad, went down on Wednesday after the pilot reported engine trouble roughly an hour into the flight. Rescue teams didn’t reach the group until Friday morning, the Bolivian Ministry of Defense confirmed in a statement.
Despite the terrifying circumstances, none of the five — the pilot, three women, and a child — sustained serious injuries. Stranded in harsh terrain, the survivors lived on a meager supply of chocolate and cassava flour, rationed carefully by the pilot, Pablo Andrés Velarde, a 27-year-old credited with the emergency landing that saved their lives.
Swamp Survival Next to Alligator Nest
Velarde recounted the harrowing ordeal from his hospital bed, revealing that the crash site was just metres from an alligator nest.
“We crashed into a swamp, and right next to us was a nest full of alligators,” he told Unitel. “Luckily, spilled fuel from the aircraft contaminated the water and the strong smell seemed to scare the alligators away. They didn’t come close.”
One of the survivors, Mirtha Fuentes, expressed overwhelming gratitude after being pulled from the jungle.
“We cried with joy. We were bruised, shaken, but alive. And for that, we thank God and the pilot's bravery and quick thinking,” she said tearfully to local media.
Search Delayed by Storms, Found by Fishermen
The search effort, mounted by Bolivia’s defense and civil protection units, was slowed by intense weather and low visibility, officials said. Although several rescue flights combed the area, none initially spotted the crash site.
In a stroke of luck, local fishermen discovered the survivors on Friday morning and alerted authorities. Shortly after, a Bolivian Air Force helicopter airlifted all five to Trinidad for medical evaluation and care.
Nation Celebrates Pilot’s Bravery and Survival Story
President Luis Arce praised the pilot and rescue teams, stating:
“Thanks to the efforts of our specialized personnel, the five survivors — including a child — are now safe. We will ensure they receive the necessary medical support and assistance.”
The dramatic rescue has gripped the nation, with many hailing the survivors’ resilience and the pilot’s courage in averting what could have been a deadly tragedy in one of South America’s most unforgiving terrains.
By WafricNews Desk.
By WafricNews Desk.
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