Colombian authorities announced it would expand its search and rescue efforts to locate four indigenous children of the Huitoto people who went missing after their plane crashed in Colombia's Caqueta state last May, killing both pilots and their mother, Magdalena Mucutuy.
Rescuers discovered footprints in the Colombian Amazon that were believed to be from one of the missing children. Some say the footprint was from the oldest child in the group, a 13-year-old girl named Lesly Jacobombaire Mucutuy.
Rescuers: Children May Be Alive
"We have a 100% expectation of finding them alive," said General Pedro Sánchez, commander of the Joint Command of Colombia's Special Operations. He likened the search for the missing children to "finding a tiny flea in a huge rug that moves in unpredictable directions."
Sánchez added the children might still be alive because animals would have been drawn to their remains if they were dead.
The search and rescue team was composed of Colombian special forces and indigenous volunteers from the area. Authorities say the children were trying to find their way out of the jungle, leaving behind some items that were not normally found in the jungle, such as the lid of a baby bottle, some towels, used diapers, and scissors.
Colombian President: Finding the Kids a Priority
Being of Huitoto origin, which instilled the knowledge of edible fruits and jungle survival skills, rescuers were optimistic they would find the children alive.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro told rescuers finding the children was a priority and did not provide a deadline for the search and rescue period.
However, he admitted authorities could not verify or confirm a lot of information regarding the children's whereabouts and welfare.
The plane initially came from the southern town of Araracuara and was bound for the northern part of the country when its engine failed before crashing into the jungle.
