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The Associated Press reported an extraordinary incident in Quito, Ecuador. A 76-year-old woman had been declared dead at Martín Icaza Hospital in Babahoyo. But she was discovered alive inside her coffin during her wake. 

The woman, identified as Bella Montoya, a retired nurse, had initially been believed to have died from a stroke followed by a catastrophic cardiac arrest. And her family was mourning her passing. 

Then unexpectedly at least 5 hours into her wake relatives began hearing sounds coming from the closed coffin. Montoya's son, Gilberto Barbera recounted the family's shock.

In an interview with the Associated Press Gilberto explained that the family was initially curious about the noises. And then became alarmed. They approached the casket where they witnessed their supposedly deceased loved one wrapped in sheets, breathing heavily, and striking the coffin walls.

Discovered alive: See the video 

A video published by the Associated Press captures the extraordinary scene. Relatives rushed to Montoya's aid, placing her on her side. They tried to help her as she struggled to breathe.

Swift action was taken, and she was promptly transported to the hospital, where she currently remains in critical condition and under intubation.

Barbera expressed relief and hopefulness for his mother's recovery. She said her heart is stable and she responded to stimuli, a positive sign indicating gradual improvement.

Nevertheless, her condition remains critical, emphasizing the challenging journey that lies ahead.

In response to this incident, Ecuador's Health Ministry announced plans to initiate a government investigation into the hospital's practices regarding death certificate protocols. 

The doctor's names have not been made public.

This astonishing story has captured the attention of both national and international media. And the video has gone viral.

 As Bella Montoya continues to fight for her life, her miraculous survival serves as a reminder that sometimes it’s a thin line between life and death.