MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Flight 571 survivor Daniel Fernández Strauch dies aged 77

“Of all the survivors of the Andes, he was one of the most emotional,” Bayona said about Fernández Strauch

Uruguayan Air Force Flight #571 survivor Daniel Fernández Strauch died in Montevideo Thursday, aged 77. He was 26 in 1972, at the time of the accident which inspired books and film productions worldwide. He became the fourth survivor to pass away, following Javier Methol (2015), José Luis Inciarte (2023), and Álvaro Mangino (2025).

Fernández Strauch, an agricultural engineer, played a key role in organizing the survivors. He was portrayed in the films Alive (1993) and Society of the Snow (2023).

Survived by his wife, three children, and grandchildren, he was remembered by fellow survivor Gustavo Zerbino and director Juan Antonio Bayona for his leadership and humanity.

“Of all the survivors of the Andes, he was one of the most emotional when he spoke. What humanity he had! In the mountains, he had to take on a very difficult role - as if there had been an easy one - and he did it because someone had to do it,” said Spanish film director Bayona, author of Society of the Snow (2023).

Zerbino described him as “a dear friend, a great father, and a great grandfather.” In the Andes, he “was one of the oldest,” who “brought peace and tranquility” to the group who survived for 72 days until they were rescued.

The Uruguayan Air Force Fairchild 227 aircraft carrying an Old Christians rugby club team to Chile crashed in the Andes Mountains. Upon impact, 13 of the aircraft's occupants died on the spot, and others succumbed in the following days. After all, 16 of them survived.