These children from the Uitoto indigenous community disappeared in the Colombian Amazon after their plane crashed in early May.
Where are the four children? Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who tweeted on Wednesday May 18 the rescue of four children, including an 11-month-old baby, who disappeared in the jungles of the Colombian Amazon after their plane crashed in early May, retired on Thursday back, indicating the “relentless” pursuit of the quest. “I have decided to delete the tweet as the information provided (…) could not be verified. I regret what happened,” he wrote.
“A joy for the country,” he said Wednesday night, announcing the rescue of four children, ages thirteen, nine, four and an 11-month-old baby, who we have not heard from since the light plane crash killed them. Transported on May 1st. The aircraft, a Cessna 206, had disappeared from radar near San José del Guaviare, Colombia, where it was supposed to be flying. He stood upright, even with his nose pressed to the ground, amid thick vegetation.
This photo released by the Colombian Army shows the plane crash in the forest in a rural area of Solano municipality, Colombia, on May 16, 2023. (HANDOUT / COLOMBIAN ARMY / AFP)
The children’s mother died
Three bodies were recovered by emergency services: that of the pilot, the children’s mother and a leader of the Uitoto indigenous community to which the passengers belonged. They were the only adults on board. Hopes of finding the children alive were sustained by the discovery Tuesday of personal items near the plane, including a bottle, as well as partially eaten fruit.
The Air Force is involved in the “Hope” rescue operation with three helicopters. On board one of the devices, a speaker “which can cover an area of about 1,500 meters” broadcasts a message recorded by the children’s grandmother. In the Uitoto language, the woman tells her grandchildren that they are wanted and asks them to stay where they are so rescuers can find them. According to the National Indigenous Organization of Colombia (ONIC), the Uitoto live in “harmony” in the jungle and maintain traditions such as hunting, fishing and wild fruit gathering.
The causes of the accident have not yet been clarified. According to Civil Protection, the pilot had reported problems with the plane’s engine before it disappeared from radar.