Robert Madden’s Guatemalan Plane Crash, the Most Intense Photo Ever Taken

It turns out it’s absolutely a case of impeccable photography by Robert W. Madden, who was at the right place at the right time and managed to frame the shot perfectly. This image was taken in Guatemala in the aftermath of a magnitude 7.5 earthquake which struck Guatemala City on February 4, 1976.

(© Robert W. Madden)

Bob Madden worked for National Geographic magazine and was in Guatemala covering the rescue and recovery operations. He had apparently just disembarked from another aircraft and was standing on the highway near Sanarate.

The rescue plane was bringing food and medicine to the quake victims. It was trying to land on the highway when it got caught in strong crosswinds. Amazingly, no one was seriously injured. The two men on the left of the photograph leapt from the pick-up truck just before the crash, adding an undeniable personal aspect to this unbelievable photograph of the aircraft impacting the truck.

This spectacular photograph was featured in the June 1976 issue of National Geographic which was dedicated to the earthquake. The photo was also selected by the editors of National Geographic as one of the 50 Greatest Pictures from the pages of the magazine.

(© Robert W. Madden)

With a magnitude of 7,5, it was the most destructive earthquake that struck Guatemala since 1917. More than 23,000 people were killed in the main shock and thousands of aftershocks. Food and water supplies were severely reduced and some areas were without electricity and means of communication for days afterwards.

Everyday Life of Guatemala in the 1980s Through Amazing Black and White Photos

Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, Belize and the Caribbean to the northeast, Honduras to the east, El Salvador to the southeast and the Pacific Ocean to the south. It is the most populous country in Central America

Guatemala is a representative democracy; its capital and largest city is Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción, also known as Guatemala City

From 1960 to 1996, Guatemala endured a bloody civil war fought between the US-backed government and leftist rebels. Since a United Nations-negotiated peace accord, Guatemala has achieved both economic growth and successful democratic elections, although it continues to struggle with high rates of poverty, crime, drug trade, and instability.

Guatemala’s abundance of biologically significant and unique ecosystems includes many endemic species and contributes to Mesoamerica’s designation as a biodiversity hotspot.

These amazing photos were taken by Chilean photographer Marcelo Montecino that documented everyday life of Guatemala in the 1980s.

Chichicastenango melancholy, 1982

Chichicastenango child, 1982

Chichicastenango street scenes, 1984

Chichicastenango, 1982

Chichicastenango, 1982

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32 Fascinating Photos Capture Everyday Life of Guatemala in the Early 1990s

Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, Belize and the Caribbean to the northeast, Honduras to the east, El Salvador to the southeast and the Pacific Ocean to the south. It is the most populous country in Central America.

Guatemala is a representative democracy; its capital and largest city is Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción, also known as Guatemala City.

Guatemala's abundance of biologically significant and unique ecosystems includes many endemic species and contributes to Mesoamerica's designation as a biodiversity hotspot.

These fascinating photos were taken by paolo that documented everyday life of Guatemala in 1991. Cities include Chichicastenango, Livingston, and In Viaggio.

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99 Rare and Amazing Photos Document Everyday Life of Guatemala From Between the 1910s and 1920s

Guatemala, officially the Republic of Guatemala, is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, Honduras to the east and El Salvador to the southeast, and it is the most populated state in Central America.

Most of the country was conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century, becoming part of the viceroyalty of New Spain. Guatemala attained independence in 1821 as part of the Federal Republic of Central America, which dissolved in 1841.

From the mid to late 19th century, Guatemala experienced chronic instability and civil strife. Beginning in the early 20th century, it was ruled by a series of dictators backed by the United Fruit Company and the United States government.

These rare and amazing photos from esta_ahi that documented everyday life of people in Guatemala in the early 20th century.

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89 Amazing Snapshots Documented Everyday Life of Guatemala in the 1970s

These are photos that were taken over the course of three and a half years in and out of Guatemala, from January, 1976 to late May of 1979.

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