The story of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which crashed in the Andes Mountains in 1972, has captured the attention of audiences once again with the release of „Society of the Snow.“ The flight was carrying 45 people from Montevideo, Uruguay, to Santiago, Chile, when tragedy struck. Of the 45 passengers, only 16 survived after spending 72 days in the snow-covered mountains, enduring avalanches, harsh cold, starvation, and the difficult decision to consume the bodies of those who had died.
Among the survivors was Numa Turcatti, a man who did not play on the rugby team that made up nearly half of the passengers on the flight. Turcatti was a close friend of one of the survivors, Pancho Delgado. In „Society of the Snow,“ Enzo Vogrincic portrays Turcatti, serving as the film’s narrator and providing insight into the harrowing ordeal faced by the survivors.
Turcatti is depicted in the film as a gritty and caring individual, based on accounts from Pablo Vierci’s book „Society of the Snow.“ Survivors of the crash spoke highly of Turcatti, with one survivor, Coche Inciarte, describing him as the best person he had ever met. Turcatti’s unwavering strength and compassion were a source of comfort and inspiration for those around him during their ordeal.
Despite his injuries sustained during the crash, Turcatti remained actively involved in efforts to seek help and assist his fellow survivors. Tragically, Turcatti passed away on December 11, just days before the rescue mission that ultimately saved the remaining survivors. His death was seen as a sacrifice that motivated the survivors to push forward and seek help, ultimately leading to their rescue.
Turcatti’s legacy lives on through the memories of those who knew him and the impact he had on the survivors of Flight 571. His selfless actions and unwavering compassion in the face of adversity continue to inspire others to this day. The story of Numa Turcatti and the survivors of Flight 571 serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of sacrifice in the most challenging of circumstances.