Article: Chilean Miners rescued after two months trapped in mine in Copiapo

Chilean Miners rescued after two months trapped in mine in Copiapo

            by Zachary Chin

October 15^th, 2010

            On August 5^th, 33 miners in Copiapo, a Chilean city a few hundred miles north of Santiago, were trapped due to a cave-in that sprung Chilean President Pinera and mining minister Golborne into action. Officials began leading rescue efforts by drilling bore holes where they believed the miners to be.

            On August 22^nd, drilling efforts reached the miners, confirmed with an attached note to the end of the drill stating that there were 33 men split into 3 groups to eat and sleep, and more importantly, that they were okay. Once the location of the miners was discovered, rescue workers began to lower essentials down to the group such as water and food, relieving some of the larger concerns about the health of the miners.

            Comments on ABC News reflected deep fear that the miners would not be rescued until Christmas. The authors’ thoughts and prayers went out to the victims of the cave-in, but little did they know, the day of rescue would come much sooner. Throughout September, correspondence and transportation of supplies continued including motivational T-Shirts, a small projector designed to display a Chilean fútbol game, and an enormous health package filled with tanks of oxygen and tools for communication with the outside world.

Rescue workers lower the second of Phoenix capsules

            Come the beginning of October, officials announced that a rescue mission for all miners would be coming soon. The miners rejoiced when the tip of the drill broke through the 1 km tunnel on October 9^th, and learned two days later that their rescue would be coming soon.

            Viewers from across the globe observed the ordeal and maintained hope that the miners would be rescued, but the consequences of the cave-in were not kept in focus as much as the survival of the 33. The mayor of Copiapo announced before the process of the rescue that the miners’ families intended to sue the government for varying amounts of money.

            The legal action taken by the suffering families illustrates tension between working class individuals and their governments, and many wait to learn the more serious steps  that will be taken after the elation of returning home.