11 Remarkable Aftermath Stories of the Andes Plane Crash Survivors

Rumors Spread That The Survivors Killed Others For Food

Following the rescue of the original sixteen survivors as depicted at the end of Society of the Snow, there was an international media frenzy that sought to get answers out to the public. After the initial shock that anyone could have survived those conditions for such a long period of time, the press began to speculate on how the survivors actually lived to tell the tale. Once a photo of human remains was discovered, the press became suspicious of the survivors and even accused them of killing each other for food.

Several survivors sitting outside of the ruined plane in Society of the Snow

The Survivors Held A Press Conference To Explain Cannibalism

After the public backlash caused by the release of the photo of human remains at the crash site, the survivors held a press conference on December 28, 1972, less than a week after they had been rescued, to explain themselves. They had originally not planned to tell the world that they were forced to resort to cannibalism but were forced to respond after the media caused a swirl of sensationalism around the story. Once the survivors offered their perspective, the press was much less antagonistic toward them.

Gustavo Zerbino in Society of the Snow

A Chilean Priest Confirmed That The Survivors Had Not Sinned

Many of the survivors were devout Catholics and were terrified that they were committing an unforgivable sin by resorting to cannibalism. A Chilean priest reaffirmed that due to the extreme circumstances, their actions were not considered sinful in the eyes of the Catholic Church. This might not seem like a significant factor in modern times, but to the survivors, it was the biggest reason why so many were opposed to resorting to cannibalism in the first place.

Daniel Fernandez Strauch as a priest talks to a church full of people during Society of the Snow's mass scene

The Victims’ Remains Were Buried At The Crash Site In A Shared Grave

Following the rescue of the survivors, a team of Argentine authorities were sent out to the crash site where they were instructed to bury the bodies of the deceased. The officials collected the human remains and buried them in a common grave that was considered to be outside of the reach of potential avalanches in the future. The families of the deceased were not allowed to attend due to the grueling nature of the situation as well as safety concerns.

A group of survivors raise their arms around the fuselage of a crashed plane in the Andes mountains in Society of the Snow.

The Aircraft Wreckage Was Collected & Set On Fire By Argentine Authorities

The Argentine authorities were also ordered to collect all of the aircraft wreckage and set it on fire in order to destroy it. However, when one of the survivors Eduardo Strauch revisited the crash site in 1995, he claimed that he saw the fuselage still there after all that time. It should be noted that J.A. Bayona and his production team actually shot near the crash site for certain moments seen in Society of the Snow.

The 16 survivors in Society of the Snow in the hospital

A Father Of The Deceased Illegally Retrieved His Son’s Body

One of the most tragic parts of the aftermath of the 1972 Andes plane crash was the case of Ricardo Echavarren, who is the father of one of the victims. Trying to fulfill his son's wishes to be buried at home, he hired a private group of mountaineers to retrieve his son's body, which was considered an illegal act by Argentine authorities. Echavarren was charged with grave robbery but was later given permission to make funeral arrangements for his lost son.

Eduardo Strauch in Society of the Snow

Gustavo Zerbino Became CEO Of Uruguayan Rugby Federation

Gustavo Zerbino plays a critical role in Society of the Snow as the person who safeguarded all of the letters of the deceased written to their families, as well as some of their cherished items and keepsakes. Following his rescue, Zerbino carried on his passion for rugby and became the CEO and Director of the Uruguayan Rugby Federation. His effort on the mountain helped add a great deal of authenticity to the J.A. Bayona movie.

Javier Methol in Society of the Snow

Fernando Perrado Became A Race Car Driver & TV Personality

Nando Perrado played a significant role in leading the survivors to being rescued in Society of the Snow and in real life, but sadly he had a difficult time readjusting back to normal life initially afterward. Nando mourned the losses of his sister and mother terribly and gave up on his collegiate studies but was able to make a career for himself as a race car diver and a television personality and played an important role in his father's business.

Adolfo %22Fito%22 Strauch in Society of the Snow

Roberto Canessa Ran For President Of Uruguay In 1994

Roberto Canessa eventually ran for President of Uruguay in 1994 but did not come close to winning. He continued his studies and became a pediatric cardiologist as well as a motivational speaker following the events of Society of the Snow. Canessa also became a professor and taught graduate courses in medicine over the course of his career. He notably was one of the earliest supporters of resorting to cannibalism in order to stay alive.

Carlos %22Carlitos%22 Miguel Páez Rodríguez in Society of the Snow

An Obelisk Monument Was Placed At The Crash Site In 2006

Decades later, in 2006, a group of the victims' families came together for the development of a monument at the crash site in order to recognize their deceased family members. The monument is a black obelisk that can be seen at the exact site of the crash and lists all of the names of the victims. The obelisk was not mentioned or displayed in Society of the Snow.

Daniel Fernández in Society of the Snow

The Andes Museum 1972 Was Established In 2013

Nearly 40 years after the horrific events of the 1972 Andes plane crash, the Andes Museum 1972 was established in Montevideo, Uruguay. The museum pays tribute to the 29 people who died during the plane crash and tried to survive afterward. Many of the original artifacts and clothing are on display there including the solar-powered water machines they used as well as several articles of clothing.

Pedro Algorta in Society of the Snow

The Survivors Continue To Meet Each Year On December 22

The survivors of the Miracle of the Andes continue to meet every year with their families on December 22, the anniversary of the first day they were rescued. The survivors also came together for the premiere screening of Society of the Snow and reportedly all Socieadmired the J.A. Bayona film. Two of the survivors have passed away, but fourteen, including Nando and Roberto, are still alive.

Ramón %22Moncho%22 Sabella in Society of the Snow