What Happened To The Rugby Team In 'Alive: The Story Of The Andes Survivors'?

The rugby team in 'Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors' faced a nightmare scenario when their plane crashed in the Andes mountains. Stranded in freezing conditions with no food or rescue in sight, they had to make brutal choices to survive. Some died in the crash, others succumbed to injuries or avalanches. With supplies running out, they resorted to eating the flesh of the deceased—a decision that haunted them but kept them alive. After 72 days, two players trekked through the mountains for help, leading to a rescue that saved the remaining 16. Their story is a raw testament to human resilience and the will to live against impossible odds.

The ordeal of the Uruguayan rugby team in 'Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors' is one of the most harrowing survival stories ever told. Their plane crashed into the remote Andes in October 1972, leaving them stranded at high altitude with minimal supplies. The initial days were chaos—injuries, shock, and freezing temperatures claimed lives quickly. As hope of rescue faded, they organized themselves, melting snow for water and rationing what little food they had. When that ran out, they faced an unthinkable choice: starve or consume the bodies of their dead friends. This act, though morally agonizing, became their lifeline.

Avalanches buried their makeshift shelter, killing more and crushing morale. Yet the survivors dug themselves out, literally and mentally. Two players, Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa, embarked on a desperate 10-day trek through the mountains, finally encountering a Chilean farmer who alerted authorities. The rescue mission that followed brought the remaining 16 home. Their story isn’t just about physical survival; it’s about the psychological battles—guilt, faith, and the bonds that held them together. The book doesn’t shy away from the grim details, but it also highlights moments of extraordinary courage and humanity in the face of despair.

Reading 'Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors' feels like stepping into a frozen hell. The rugby team’s plane crash left them in a white wasteland, where every decision was life or death. Early on, they scavenged luggage for food—a few chocolate bars, some wine—but it wasn’t enough. The cold was relentless, and avalanches buried their shelter twice. What stuck with me was how they debated the cannibalism. It wasn’t impulsive; they discussed it like a moral committee, arguing that their dead would want them to live. The most haunting part? Some wrote letters to their families, convinced they’d die.

Then there’s the trek. Nando and Roberto climbed mountains without gear, using melted snow in a bottle as their only supply. When they found help, the world reacted with shock—first to their survival, then to the cannibalism. But the book shows how survival strips away judgment. These weren’t monsters; they were kids who wanted to see their parents again. The aftermath was brutal too—nightmares, fame, and the weight of being called ‘miracles.’ It’s a story that makes you question what you’d do in their place.