Five Survive 36 Hours in Bolivian Swamp Crash

Five people, including three women, a child, and the pilot, survived for 36 hours atop their crashed plane in an alligator-infested swamp in Bolivia's Amazon after engine failure forced an emergency landing. The group endured threats from alligators and an anaconda, with leaking fuel believed to have deterred predators. Stranded without drinkable water, they survived by rationing cassava flour and some chocolate. Local fishermen spotted and rescued the survivors, who were found in excellent condition and airlifted to a hospital for evaluation. The rescue was hampered by adverse weather and required coordination between local authorities, the Bolivian Defense Ministry, and the Air Force. The incident underscores the reliance on air travel in remote Bolivian regions where road infrastructure is lacking or poorly maintained.