I have spent most of the afternoon and evening watching the miners being rescued in Copiapo, Chile. A landslide happened back on the 5th August trapping 33 miners and it wasn't until the 22nd August that the men got a note to the surface and the authorities then realised that these men were still alive. Planning then went into action to work out how to bring these miners up to ground level.
The first man was brought to the surface just after 1.00pm Adelaide time. What an incredible achievement to all those involved. It may be painstakingly slow but to bring all 33 men safely to the surface would be just unbelievable.
Watching the relatives faces as the capsule comes to the top and they see their loved one for the first time in 2 months made me weep. It was so emotional. The men look so well too, not like they have been underground for the last 69 days.
Currently it is 9.30 pm and the 9th man is currently being lifted to the top. He is of some concern due to his health problems and he is the oldest at 63 years of age, but the authorities felt they have done all they could to prepare him. The capsule takes between 15-20 minutes to come to the surface. The miners were trapped about 700 metres underground. Mario Gomez is his name and he safely made it out and it was a really emotional meeting with his wife.
I hope and pray that the next 24 men all make it out safely too, plus the 2 rescue workers that went down on the first two capsule trips. Many countries, including Australia, offered their expertise in the planning of this rescue mission.
The second man to be rescued, Mario Sepulveda hugs Chilean President Sebastian Pinera
The third man rescued Juan Andes Illanes
Congratulations to all the people involved for making this a most succesful rescue.
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