Museo Andes 1972

Museo Andes 1972 in Montevideo’s Old City tells the story of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which crashed in the Andes in 1972. Its displays honor the 29 people who died and the 16 who survived 72 days in extreme conditions before rescue. Photographs, personal belongings, documents and other objects from the crash trace what happened, while interactive exhibits help explain the cold the survivors faced. The subject is emotionally demanding, but the museum presents a detailed account of the people and their ordeal.

The story of Flight 571

The museum follows the 1972 crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 in the Andes. The plane was carrying a group of Uruguayan rugby players, along with friends and relatives, on a journey to Chile. Of the 45 people aboard, 29 died and 16 survived. The survivors remained in the mountains for 72 days before rescue.

The account includes the severe cold, hunger and dehydration they faced. The story also covers the decision to eat the bodies of those who had died, a fact central to how the survivors endured. The exhibits approach the tragedy through the people involved, remembering those who did not return as well as those who did.

Photographs, belongings and interactive exhibits

Photographs, documents, books and objects recovered from the crash help trace the events and the survivors’ experience. Personal belongings and testimonies add detail to the account, while historic material places the story in the context of the flight and the time spent in the Andes.

An interactive display lets you feel extreme temperatures, giving a physical point of reference for the conditions described in the exhibits. The museum’s explanatory material is available in Spanish and English, and guided tours are also possible. There is a lot to take in, so give yourself time to read rather than treating the visit as a quick stop.