A notorious real-life plane crash in the Andes in 1972 has inspired the new Netflix adventure drama “Society of the Snow.” The tragic event occurred when Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, carrying a rugby team from Montevideo, Uruguay, to Santiago, Chile, crashed into the Andes mountains.
Surviving Against All Odds
Out of the 45 passengers on board, only 16 managed to survive the initial crash. These survivors endured freezing temperatures, injuries, and even an avalanche for a staggering 72 days before they were rescued. In their struggle to stay alive, they were forced to consume the flesh of their deceased companions.
The survivors’ firsthand accounts of the crash were compiled in Pablo Vierci’s book, “Society of the Snow,” which served as the inspiration for the movie. One of the survivors, Dr. Roberto Canessa, shared his memories of the crash in an interview with NBC News. He vividly recalled the moment he thought he was going to die.
A Gritty Portrayal
Canessa mentioned that watching “Society of the Snow” was challenging because Netflix accurately depicted the grim details of the event. The production team went as far as traveling to the actual crash site in the mountains and enduring the same freezing temperatures the survivors experienced. Canessa felt immersed in the film, transported back to the fuselage where it all happened.
After their harrowing ordeal, Canessa and his teammate Nando Parrado managed to hike out of the mountains and find help. They were finally rescued on December 22, 1972.
Life After the Crash
Today, out of the 16 survivors, 14 are still alive. Unfortunately, José Luis “Coche” Inciarte and Javier Methol passed away in 2023 and 2015 respectively. Sergio Catalan, the herdsman who encountered Parrado and Canessa during their 10-day trek from the crash site, passed away in 2020 at the age of 91.
Following their survival, many of the survivors chose to write about their experiences and became motivational speakers. Canessa wrote the book “I Had to Survive,” while Parrado authored “Miracle of the Andes.” Other survivors, like Carlitos Páez and Eduardo Stauch, also wrote books about their journeys.
Annual Reunions and a Lasting Bond
According to Vierci’s book, the survivors come together each year on December 22, the day of their rescue, for a ritual commemoration. This gathering allows them to reconnect with one another and their families. Most of their children, who are now between the ages of 18 and 26, remind them of their younger selves during the mountain ordeal.
Canessa even built a salon in his house to serve as a meeting place for the group. It’s a testament to the enduring bond they share, as they continue to support and find solace in one another.
Recently, many of the survivors watched an early screening of “Society of the Snow” that Netflix arranged. The movie deeply moved them, leading to thunderous applause, heartfelt embraces, and tears of remembrance.
For more information on the Andes plane crash survivors, click here.