Colombian president visits kids present in jungle 5 weeks after lethal aircraft crash

Jun 11, 2023 at 10:43 AM
Colombian president visits kids present in jungle 5 weeks after lethal aircraft crash

Four kids who have been lacking for greater than 5 weeks after a aircraft crash are in an “acceptable” state of well being, the Colombian authorities has mentioned.

On Saturday, President Gustavo Petro, first girl Veronica Alcocer and different officers visited the siblings at a hospital in Bogota.

They gave the youngsters presents and spoke to docs and relations about how the youngsters have been doing after their ordeal.

President Gustavo Petro greets the doctors during his hospital visit. Pic: Reuters
Image:
President Gustavo Petro greets the docs throughout his hospital go to
Colombia's first Lady Veronica Alcocer delivers a gift to one of the children. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Colombia’s first girl Veronica Alcocer gave out presents

The three women – aged 13, 9 and one – and five-year-old boy have been discovered on Friday within the deep depths of the jungle in Caqueta province after a deadly crash by which three adults, together with the pilot, misplaced their lives.

At the time, Mr Petro mentioned the youngsters have been discovered by one of many rescue canine that troopers took into the jungle.

The kids have been alone when the rescue crew discovered them.

Image:
Pic: AP

‘We by no means anticipated to search out them so properly’

“In general the boy and the girls are in an acceptable state. According to the medical reports they are out of danger,” defence minister Ivan Velasquez mentioned throughout a news convention after the go to.

The kids will not be but capable of eat however are being hydrated and stabilised, he mentioned.

The siblings’ great-uncle Fidencio Valencia mentioned they have been “very thin but I know they’re in good hands”.

“We never expected to find them so well,” he added.

Army Major General Carlos Rincon mentioned the youngsters had some insect bites and different minor accidents, however “life-threatening conditions are ruled out”.

Doctors mentioned the one-year-old lady is in secure situation, however “requires more attention from the nutritional point of view, but here with our interdisciplinary team and the family, we will start this process, which is not a short but a medium and long term process”.

During the news briefing, Astrid Caceres, the director of the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare, added: “They told us about the little dog that got lost, that they don’t know where it was and that it was accompanying them. We have spoken little about their experiences, but we have talked about how they feel.

“They do not speak a lot and they’re weak, though they wish to play. When a toddler performs, it is great. They nonetheless do not speak as a lot as you desire to them to. Let’s give them time.”

Pic: Reuters
Pic: Reuters

The Colombian defence minister recognised the 13-year-old lady for her bravery and for taking good care of her siblings – the youngest of which turned one whereas within the jungle.

During the rescue mission, troopers discovered small clues that led them to consider the youngsters have been nonetheless alive.

They included a pair of footprints, a child bottle, nappies and items of fruit that regarded like people had eaten them.

Image:
Pic: AP

Read extra from Sky News:
How children lost in Colombian jungle after plane crash were found
Four children aged between 11 months and 13 years old found alive in jungle

The ordeal first started after the small Cessna single-engine propeller aircraft they have been on fell off the radar within the early hours of 1 May.

Before the aircraft crash, the pilot declared an emergency on account of an engine failure.

At the time the aircraft was discovered on 16 May, the youngsters have been nowhere to be seen.

Officials mentioned the group of 4 kids have been travelling with their mom from the Amazonian village of Araracuara to San Jose del Guaviare when the aircraft crashed.