Nearly three decades after an airplane crashed into Colombia’s Nevado del Ruiz volcano, newly emerged footage shows the chilling discovery of human remains—exposed by melting snow and ice. The remains, believed to possibly be from passengers and crew who died in the 1995 crash, have resurfaced as climate change accelerates the melting of the mountain’s thick frost.
While scaling the snow-capped Nevado del Ruiz in early August 2024, TikTok user Daniel James captured footage of a human foot peeking out from the ground. What he believed to be part of a pelvis, possibly disturbed by wildlife, was also visible. The video ends with James stumbling across the wreckage of the flight, now partially buried beneath rocks and ice.
James described the moment he first noticed the foot during his climb as an almost unreal experience, something completely unexpected. It felt like time had come to a halt around the scene. The video quickly gained widespread attention online, with one viewer noting how unsettling it was to see something remain hidden for so long and suddenly reappear.
A 1995 flight carrying two pilots and six passengers crashed en route to Cali, Colombia. According to investigators, the plane was directed onto a route that took it to a height of 14,500 feet near the volcano, where the pilots likely blacked out due to oxygen deprivation. The plane ultimately collided with the side of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano, killing all eight people on board.
In their assessment of the crash, investigators determined that the pilots made critical navigational errors, which placed the aircraft in a treacherous area. The high altitude, unpredictable weather, and challenging terrain created significant risks for flying in that mountainous region. According to the investigation findings, the pilots were likely unprepared for the altitude and may not have had sufficient oxygen, contributing to the outcome.
Over the last three decades, the victims’ bodies remained hidden under layers of snow and ice. However, recent warming trends have led to the gradual melting of parts of the mountain, revealing what had long been buried. Despite the gruesome discovery, there has been no official statement from authorities regarding the possibility of recovering the remains for burial.
The Nevado del Ruiz, a towering volcano nestled in the Andes mountains, straddles the border between the departments of Caldas and Tolima. Standing at over 17,000 feet, it is part of the Ruiz-Tolima volcanic mountain range.
In 1985, the volcano’s eruption caused catastrophic mudflows that buried the town of Armero, claiming over 23,000 lives. The volcano continues to pose a threat to the surrounding regions.
James’ TikTok footage reignited interest in the crash site. For the families of the victims, the resurfacing of the wreckage brings both pain and a possible path to closure.