[Revisited] The Miracle of the Andes: The story of a group of survivors of a plane crash in the Andes in 1972. Artwork

The Compendium Podcast

An Assembly of Fascinating and Intriguing Things, a weekly variety podcast that gives you just enough information on a topic to help you stand your ground at any social gathering. We explore big stories from true crime, history, and extraordinary people.

All Episodes

The Compendium Podcast

[Revisited] The Miracle of the Andes: The story of a group of survivors of a plane crash in the Andes in 1972.

April 09, 2024 • Kyle Risi & Adam Cox • Episode 54

In this episode of The Compendium we revist an old favourit and one of our most popular episodes. We dive into the gripping and inspirational story of "The Miracle of the Andes", the crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 and the unimaginable circumstances that the survivors faced. We will be drawing on the 1974 book "Alive" by Piers Paul Read, which was written on behalf of the survivors and documents their remarkable journey.

What we love about this story is that it is not just a story about survival, but also about stepping up and banding together in the face of adversity. Together Kyle and Adam explore what happens when a plane crashes on a glacier and what it truly takes to survive when everyone has given up on you.

This story is a testament to the extraordinary things that people are capable of and how even in the most desperate situations, humanity can shine through.

We give you the Compendium, but if you want more, then check out these great resources:
1. "Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors" by Piers Paul Read
2. "Out of the Silence: After the Crash" by Eduardo Strauch and Mireya Soriano
3. "Miracle in the Andes: 72 Days on the Mountain and My Long Trek Home" by Nando Parrado
4. "Society of the Snow: The True Story of the Survivors of the Andes Plane Crash" by Pablo Vierci
5. "Stranded: I've Come from a Plane That Crashed on the Mountains" by Gonzalo Arijón