Five Rescued After Plane Crash in Alligator-Infested Bolivia Swamp

Five people, including a pilot, three women, and a child, survived a small plane crash in the Amazonian jungle of Bolivia, landing in a swamp infested with alligators and snakes. The group endured a harrowing 36-hour ordeal, surviving on chocolate and cassava (manioc) flour, while the spilled jet fuel from the wreckage likely kept dangerous wildlife at bay but left them without drinkable water. Despite facing dehydration, minor injuries, insect bites, and a head wound in one case, none suffered life-threatening harm, and all were eventually rescued by fishermen who alerted authorities. The survivors described the constant threat from circling alligators and snakes, as well as relentless mosquitoes that made rest impossible. Medical staff praised their resilience, and the incident has sparked discussion about the need for better aviation safety and emergency preparedness. The story has resonated in Bolivia, offering a rare uplifting moment amid ongoing national challenges.