Jubilation as Chile mine rescue ends
Baku, October 14 (AZERTAC). Chile`s president has said his country will never be the same again after the extraordinary rescue of the 33 miners trapped deep underground for 69 days.
Sebastian Pinera said he thought Chile was "more united and stronger than ever", and "more valued" worldwide. There were earlier ecstatic scenes as Luis Urzua, 54, the last miner out, emerged at the top of the rescue shaft. The 22-hour operation saw each man being winched up in a narrow capsule. They have now been taken to hospital. Some have severe dental infections, and others have eye problems as a result of living in the dirt and darkness of the mine. One has been diagnosed with pneumonia but his condition is not thought to be serious.
Health Minister Jaime Manalich nevertheless stressed that all appeared to be in far better condition than expected. No-one has survived as long trapped underground. The miners were left with only 48 hours' worth of rations when part of the San Jose copper and gold mine in Chile`s Atacama desert collapsed on 5 August. After 17 days of drilling, rescuers made contact.
Thirty-three balloons in Chilean colours were released above the mine. Mr Urzua, the shift supervisor at the mine who has been credited with helping the miners endure the early days of their ordeal, then embraced the president and said: "We have done what the entire world was waiting for. "We had strength, we had spirit, we wanted to fight, we wanted to fight for our families, and that was the greatest thing."
Describing him as a "great captain", Mr Pinera replied: "You are not the same, and the country is not the same after this. You were an inspiration. Go hug your wife and your daughter." He then led the crowd in singing the Chilean national anthem. Watching the rescue on a big screen nearby, the miners` friends and relatives were showered with champagne and confetti. Six rescuers who were lowered into the mine to supervise the operation held up a banner saying "Mission accomplished."
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