Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors

by Piers Paul Read

Dr Valeta, the father of Carlos, went with his family to the press conference and afterwards spoke to the newspaper El Pais. ‘I came here with my family,’ he said, ‘because we wanted to see all those who were the friends of my son and because we are sincerely happy to have them back among us. We are glad, what is more, that there were forty-five of them, because this helped at least sixteen to return. I’d like to say, furthermore, that I knew from the very first moment what has been confirmed today. As a doctor I understood at once that no one could have survived in such a place and under such conditions without resort to courageous decisions. Now that I have confirmation of what has happened I repeat: Thank God that the forty-five were there, for sixteen homes have regained their children.’