History Daily 1214: The Miracle of the Andes
Oct 13, 2025
On October 13, 1972, a plane crash in the Andes leaves a rugby team stranded, battling for survival. With failed rescue attempts and dwindling supplies, the group faces harrowing decisions about food. Nando Parado awakens from a coma and, alongside others, tackles the challenges of rationing and desperation. An avalanche complicates their plight, burying some survivors, while resourcefulness leads them on a treacherous trek across the mountains in search of help. Their incredible journey culminates in a rescue that becomes a legacy of resilience.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Crash And Immediate Aftermath
- Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crashed into the Andes on October 13, 1972, leaving many passengers dead or injured.
- Nando Parado regained consciousness to discover his mother had died and his sister was critically injured.
Turning Wreckage Into Shelter
- Survivors improvised shelter and medical care with limited supplies and skills.
- Gustavo Zerbino and Roberto Canessa tended the injured while teammates converted the fuselage into a refuge.
Search Efforts Were Doomed By Terrain
- Search planes failed to find the wreckage despite survivors' attempts to signal their location.
- Limited visibility and the vast Andes made conventional search-and-rescue ineffective.