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24 Chilean Miners Rescued So Far, Seem To Be In Good Health
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 13, 2010
Modified Oct 13, 2010
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By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 13, 2010
Modified Oct 13, 2010
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The networks have been providing pretty much wall-to-wall coverage of the rescue of the 33 workers trapped in a Chilean mine since August 5, and now the 24th miner has emerged. The Chilean Minister of Health Jaime Manalich said that those rescued so far seem to be in good emotional and mental health. CNN reports that he also "express[ed] surprise at how 'well they are.' He also spoke highly of the rescue capsule and the shaft, noting that the miners were coming out dry and with very little dust on them. 'Things are going fantastically well, better than expected,' he said in a press conference. 'The work at the shaft has been really impeccable.'"
Over 700,000 pounds of rock had collapsed in the mine, and they are making their way back up a half mile to the surface through a "rescue capsule" equipped with oxygen and a phone that's big enough for one person; the NY Times has a great graphic about it. According to MSNBC, "Through the first five rescues, the operation brought up a miner roughly every hour — holding to a schedule announced earlier to get all out in about 36 hours. Then, rescuers paused to lubricate the spring-loaded wheels that give the capsule a smooth ride through the hard-rock shaft before continuing the rescues. The pace picked up as the day wore on."
The first miners rescued were, Manalich explained, the "young ones, the healthier ones that could handle the ascent," while the next group were those in "more precarious health." One miner, Edison Pena Villarroel, 34, is "an Elvis fan who led the miners in singing and ran six miles a day in the cramped chamber to keep fit." The liberated miners, who have been given $450 Oakley sunglasses, are being reunited with their mostly eager loved ones. The Times described one joyous moment:
The second miner to reach the surface, Mario Sepúlveda, left the rescue capsule in a kind of victory dance, hugging family members and officials. He embraced the Chilean president, Sebastián Piñera, three times and presented people with gifts: rocks from the mine. He punched fists with the crowd and led a cheer: “Chi, Chi, Chi, le, le, le,” they shouted. “Miners of Chile!” The refrain echoed as subsequent miners reached the surface.
“I’ve been near God, but I’ve also been near the devil,” Mr. Sepúlveda said through a translator. “God won.”
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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