Fisherman rescued after 95 days adrift eating turtles
"After 95 grueling days at sea, surviving on rainwater, turtles, birds, and cockroaches, Peruvian fisherman Maximo Napa Castro is finally reunited with his family."
Peru, March 17 : In a remarkable story of survival, Peruvian fisherman Maximo Napa Castro, 61, who spent 95 days adrift in the Pacific Ocean, has been rescued and reunited with his loved ones.
Castro departed on what was intended to be a two-week fishing expedition from Marcona on December 7. But ten days into the trip, a raging storm blew his boat off course, leaving him stranded with little supplies. Castro survived on rainwater and took to desperate measures—feeding on cockroaches, birds, and even sea turtles—to ward off hunger for 95 disastrous days, his last 15 spent with no food.
It was only on Wednesday that the Ecuadorian patrol boat Don F found him, about 1,094 kilometers off the coast. Dehydrated and in a critical state, Castro was taken to Paita for medical assessment before being airlifted to Lima. In a tearful welcome at Jorge Chávez International Airport, his daughter Inés Napa welcomed him with a bottle of pisco as he returned home.
Looking back at his experience, Castro explained, “I thought about my mother every day. I’m thankful to God for giving me a second chance.” His rescue has ignited festivities in his native district of San Andrés in the Ica region, where neighbors and family members adorned the streets, celebrating his survival as a rebirth.
This inspiring tale of resilience and perseverance is a strong testament to the human spirit. Tune in as we continue to bring you more news on this unfolding story.
