The remains of the plane were not immediately found, and the search was suspended until weather on the mountain improved. In December of that year, 71 days after the accident, two of the rugby players appeared in the skirts of the mountain chain on the Chilean side. They had walked for 10 days through the mountains to bring the message that 14 of their companions had survived and were awaiting rescue.

The fight for survival was intense. After suffering the plane crash at more than 4000 meters of height, with many wounds, the survivors resorted to the most basic human instinct—their will to live. They survived an avalanche that buried them, and they decided to feed on the bodies of their dead companions. They experienced incredible situations that tested their ability to overcome the adversity, to work as a team, and to make decisions in situations of total uncertainty.

36 years later, 16 survivors are alive and well. They live normal lives, surrounded with their children and grandchildren, and are grateful for their lives and grateful to God for the opportunities they've had.