In a miraculous turn of events that demonstrate the grace of God, four young Colombian children were found alive, after enduring six harrowing weeks in the dense Amazon jungle following the tragic Columbia plane crash that led to their disappearance. This remarkable survival story brings a heartening and uplifting end to a nationwide search, raising spirits and renewing faith in divine intervention.
On a routine flight on May 1, a small aircraft carrying the children and three adults crashed, claiming the lives of their mother, the pilot, and an indigenous leader. The only survivors were the four children: Lesly Jacobombaire Mucutuy, aged 13, Soleiny Jacobombaire Mucutuy, 9, Tien Ranoque Mucutuy, 4, and an infant, Cristin Ranoque Mucutuy, who turned one during their arduous journey in the wilderness. When the wreckage was finally discovered weeks later, evidence of partly eaten fruit sparked hope that the children were alive, prompting an intensified search.
For over a month, the siblings were on their own in the perilous wilds of the jungle, contending with a myriad of dangers, including predatory animals, treacherous terrain, and the sheer severity of the elements. The search for the missing kids eventually paid off when one of the rescue dogs, following footprints left on the muddy floor, led the soldiers to them.
President Gustavo Petro, who had earlier faced criticism for a prematurely announced rescue, joyously relayed the news on Twitter. “A joy for the whole country!” he tweeted, praising the siblings for their extraordinary survival. He added, “They are children of the jungle, and now they are children of Colombia.”
The children’s indigenous roots from the Huitoto group, coupled with their intimate knowledge of the jungle, possibly played a significant role in their survival. Their grandfather, Fidencio Valencia, attributed their return to the jungle itself. He emotionally remarked, “For us, this situation was like being in the dark, we walked for the sake of walking. Living for the sake of living because the hope of finding them kept us alive. When we found the children we felt joy, we don’t know what to do, but we are grateful to God.”
Following their remarkable rescue, the children, dehydrated, malnourished, but otherwise healthy, were immediately attended by medical professionals. They were transferred to San Jose del Guaviare before being flown to Bogota, where they are due to receive further medical attention.
Despite the severe ordeal, the children’s survival sparked nationwide relief, reminding us that miracles can unfold even in the most daunting circumstances.
Their grandmother, whose prayers and hopes never wavered, shared her gratitude and happiness, “I never lost hope, I was always supporting the search. I feel very happy, I thank President Petro and my ‘countrymen’ who went through so many difficulties.”
In the words of Indigenous leader Lucho Acosta, who had coordinated the indigenous scouts in the search, “We never stopped looking for them until the miracle came.” Indeed, their survival story reminds us that even when faced with insurmountable odds, faith and hope can lead to astonishing miracles.
Watch the miraculous story below.
