Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
A mum and her three children have survived in the Colombian jungle for 34 days by eating wild fruits and berries after becoming lost while on holiday.
According to local media, the 40-year-old mother and her three children, aged 14, 12 and 10, were reported as missing on 19th December, according to navy commander Sergio Alfredo Serrano.
He added: “They were on holiday in the region when they went to meet the children’s father and became lost, remaining 34 days as missing.”
The family members were reportedly found near the village of La Esperanza in the northern Peruvian sector of Yubineto which nestles on the border with Colombia.
They were following the Putumayo River when they unknowingly crossed into Peru, according to reports.
Local media said the missing group was found by members of the indigenous Secoya community who contacted the Peruvian authorities.
After being rescued, the unnamed mother told local media: “We lasted half an hour without drinking water and then we fainted. We had to drink water all the time and the girls were unable to walk.”
According to local media, the tourists were taken to the ESE Hospital Maria Angelines in the southern Colombian town of Puerto Leguizamo with symptoms of malnourishment and minor injuries.
Reports said that the family spent most of the 34 days wandering the jungle barefoot.
Serrano said: “The mother confirmed that they ate wild fruits and whatever else they could find for the 34 days they were missing.
“We hope there will not be any complications and we will keep you informed about the family’s health situation.”
Reports said that the four family members were reunited with the father when they arrived at hospital.
Local media did not mention which country the tourists came from.
In November 2017, the police found a 17-year-old boy with mental disabilities who had escaped from a centre and spent 28 days in the Amazonian jungle.
The teenager, named Martin Camilo Carihuasari, was found near a river in the southern Colombian jungle region of Pichuna.
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