Four children rescued in Colombian jungle: 13-year-old allegedly took care of her siblings

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A week-long search ends with a happy ending: after 40 days, four children who were missing after a plane crash in the Colombian jungle have been found alive.

The eldest of the four, 13-year-old Lesly, is believed to have contributed to their survival. She apparently took care of her siblings after the plane crash. Her mother died in the plane crash.

“I just want to see her now”

Grandmother Fátima Valencia called her granddaughter, 13-year-old Lesly, a “warrior” who made sure the children could survive in the jungle. “She always took care of her siblings regularly when her mother was at work,” she said.

The grandparents of the children can hardly believe that they can hug their grandchildren again. He feels very happy and grateful, the siblings’ grandfather, Fidencio Valencia, said in a touched voice to a reporter from the Caracol broadcaster on Friday (local time).

Words were not enough to thank those who helped them find the children, he added, referring to state troopers and helpers from indigenous communities in the region. In the early evening, the grandparents received information from the armed forces that their grandchildren were “healthy and safe,” Mucutuy said. “I just want to see her now.”

Now the grandparents want to adopt the children

The grandparents now even hope to get custody of the children and raise them. “It will be my pride. My daughter will keep an eye on me, she will encourage me mentally and give me strength.”

A major search operation involving 160 soldiers and 70 indigenous people was launched in the hopes of rescuing 13-year-old Lesly, nine-year-old Soleiny, four-year-old Ten Noriel and little Cristin, who turned one in the jungle.

Responding to their trail, the rescuers never lost hope, finding a baby bottle, scissors, shoes, diapers, chewed fruit, footprints and emergency shelters that indicated at least one child was still alive.

“Today was a magical day that no doubt fills us with joy,” said 63-year-old President Gustavo Petro on his return from Cuba, where the Colombian government and the ELN guerrilla group agreed a six-month ceasefire on Friday. The children have been found, he continued. “They were alone, they made it alone.” The army had used sniffer dogs, helicopters and satellite images in the search.

On May 1, the small aircraft Cessna 206 crashed in the Amazon rainforest in southern Colombia. On May 15 and 16, the bodies of the three adults on board were found near the wreck. They were the pilot, an indigenous leader and the mother of four missing children, Magdalena Mucutui Valencia. But the children were gone. (AFP/dzc)

Source: Blick