Four children survived in the Amazon jungle for 40 days: how they were found.

Amazing survival story of children after the plane crash

According to The Sun: During a flight over the Amazon jungle, the family had no idea that their journey would end in tragedy. The plane crashed, and on board were four children: 13-year-old Leslie, nine-year-old Soleiny, four-year-old Tien, and baby Kristine.

The helicopter found the wreckage of the plane that crashed in the Amazon. getty AP AFP

Rescuers spent two weeks searching for the plane wreckage, where they found the pilots and the children's mother, Magdalena, dead, but miraculously the children were not found.

Leslie was remarkable for her heroism, as she managed to survive with her younger siblings for 40 days. The children survived on berries that fell from trees with the help of monkeys, fought off wild animals, and built shelters from improvised materials.

We stayed near the plane for several days, but no one came to help

Leslie Mukutuy

The first crash and the struggle for survival

The tragedy began on May 1, 2023, when the family took off in a plane from the town of Araracuara to San José del Guaviare. The plane crashed just 30 minutes after takeoff.

Leslie recalls how the plane began to panic before crashing into the jungle. Coming to her senses, she found her leg under the seat, all covered in blood.

Leslie saved her siblings by pulling them from under their mother's body. Their mother died from her injuries, leaving the children without any help in the deep jungle.

A National Geographic documentary recreates the moment when the family prepared for their final flight. National Geographic

Leslie assures that while alone, the children faced tough moments, but thanks to the skills imparted by their mother, they knew how to survive. They hid from wild animals and searched for food.

The baby was not well, and he lived only on water. I didn’t think she would survive, so we decided to stay put

Leslie Mukutuy

Uniting for rescue

For 26 days, rescue teams could not find the children due to heavy rains. However, by involving local residents, they were able to conduct joint rituals and prayers for the children.

Finally, rescuers found the children, who were exhausted and hungry, but alive. Leslie recalls: “I heard voices and footsteps nearby, but saw nothing... then emotions overwhelmed me after the meeting.”

Moving forward — a new life

Now the children live with their mother's family, after spending nearly two years in the custody of Colombia's social services. They are receiving psychological help and support to recover from their experiences.

Their aunt noted: “People say you are a miracle,” explaining that now Leslie is free and has the opportunity to build a normal life.

Children who went through terrifying moments now have the chance to return to a normal life. It is essential to emphasize that support from family and social services will help them cope with the aftermath of the tragedy, as emotional rehabilitation is an integral part of their recovery. This story is an example of not only the children's heroism but also the importance of community in times of crisis.