[chris]

Cannibalism in the Andes Mountains

Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, also known less formally as the Andes flight disaster, was an airline flight carrying 45 people that crashed in the Andes on October 13, 1972. The event was concluded by December 23, 1972 when the last of 16 survivors were rescued.

The only food they were left with was some chocolate, nougat, crackers and jam. In addition they had some large bottles of wine and brandy that the pilots had bought in Mendoza. This was not much for 26 survivors. This food was rationed as best as possible - One deodorant cap of wine, one chocolate piece for everyone at a meal time - but it was clear it would not last and that they would not be rescued soon. If they couldn't find another source of food they would all die.

The survivors were left with a grim decision, they knew that the only way to survive was to eat the flesh of their dead friends. One survivor, Pedro Algorta, thought of it as communion, from their friends' deaths, the others would live. Canessa, who was one of the first to mention the idea, went out into the snow to one of the bodies and using a shard of glass cut from it several slivers of flesh. One by one most of the survivors took a piece and forced it down their throats. Some, including Coche Inciarte, and the Methols refused to eat it, so they were given the rest of the dwindling chocolate; it wasn't long before this ran out and these few who had refused reluctantly ate as well.

There were 10 bodies in the cemetery, three of whom were agreed not to be used unless there was no other option (Parrado's mother and sister and Methol's nephew) the meat was rationed as the chocolate had been. The Strauch cousins were placed in charge of rationing and preparation. With the introduction of proteins to their bodies the survivors grew stronger and were able to focus on how they would get out of the mountains.

[ReiseReise]

isnt there a movie based on this accident?
for i have seen a movie that is very similar to these pictures

[tara2]

yes the movie is called Alive. There is also a book.Ive read it . Its a good read.

[firedog25]

Survival based cannibalism has to be one of the hardest decisions to make.

[smackem]

Good job here, Chris.

[kolsch]

there's a new documentary out about this incident. forgive me whilst i try to remember the title...it was quite interesting !

[SAMMY82]

http://www.documentingreality.com/fo...rvivors-21460/

[Malekith]

Yeah wasn't this a rugby team? Good film too.

[Azimuth]

Awesome!

[oOo]

I wouldn't hesitate to eat human meat if I was starving to death. Probably taste like chicken anyway.