Colombia on edge as search continues for children missing after plane crash

BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — Colombians were on edge Friday as a search continued for four Indigenous children who might have survived a deadly plane crash in the Amazon jungle 19 days ago.

The accident occurred in the early hours of May 1 when a Cessna C206 with seven passengers on board declared an emergency due to engine failure.

Shortly after, the small aircraft fell off radar and a frantic search for survivors began.

Colombian troops found the wreckage Tuesday along with the bodies of three adults: the pilot, a guide and the children's mother.

But there was no sign of the youngsters.

The children, members of the Uitoto Indigenous community, were identified as Lesly Jacobombaire Mucutuy, 13; Soleiny Jacobombaire Mucutuy, 9; Tien Noriel Ronoque Mucutuy, 4; and Cristin Neriman Ranoque Mucutuy, 11 months.

On Wednesday, there appeared to be a breakthrough when Colombian President Gustavo Petro took to Twitter to announce that the four children had been found alive.

But any elation was deflated hours later when Petro deleted the tweet, acknowledging that the children had in fact not been found.

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