Everything Everywhere Daily

Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571

Sep 10, 2025
In October 1972, a rugby team’s flight crashed in the Andes, leading to a harrowing survival saga. Stranded in freezing temperatures, the survivors faced starvation and moral dilemmas, including the need for cannibalism. Two determined individuals embarked on a treacherous 10-day trek to find help. The podcast delves into their struggles, ethical choices, and the raw will to survive against all odds in the unforgiving mountains.
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ANECDOTE

Crash In The Valley Of Tears

  • The Old Christian Rugby Club flight departed Montevideo and crashed in the Andes after navigational errors and poor weather.
  • Twelve people died in the initial impact and the wreck came to rest in the Valley of Tears at 11,500 feet.
INSIGHT

Search Called Off Early

  • Search teams believed survival chances were slim and called off the search after eight days.
  • That shift from rescue to recovery meant survivors could not rely on external help and had to fend for themselves.
ADVICE

Make Signals Visible From The Air

  • When stranded, create visible, high-contrast signals for air searchers, not small white markings on white snow.
  • Use large, dark shapes or cleared snow areas to improve aerial detection chances.
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