33 trapped Chile miners found alive after 17 days

[Glass]

By FEDERICO QUILODRAN

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) - Chile's president euphorically waved the note, written deep inside a collapsed mine, that his country waited 17 agonizing days to see: "All 33 of us are fine in the shelter," one of the trapped miners wrote in red letters.

Authorities and relatives of the miners hugged, climbed a nearby hill, planted 33 flags and sang the national anthem Sunday after a probe sent some 2,257 feet (688 meters) deep into the mine came back with the note. "Today all of Chile is crying with excitement and joy," President Sebastian Pinera said.

The miners' ordeal may have just begun: Rescuers say it could take four months - until around Christmas - to get them out.

The men already have been trapped underground longer than all but a few miners in recent history. In 1983, two coal miners rescued after 23 days in northeast China; few other rescues have taken more than two weeks.

For the moment, however, news that the men even survived an Aug. 5 tunnel collapse outshines all other details.

"I'm happy, happy," said one of miner Mario Gomez's three daughters. "For the first time, I'll be able to sleep peacefully."

link...... (http://apnews.excite.com/article/20100822/D9HOQLJ80.html)

[Down1]

Good news so far.
Another four months down deep till rescue is a bummer.
I hope all of them are in good health.

[Phoenix]

Definitely good news they're alive, definitely bad news it will take so ridiculously long to rescue them.

[Glass]

This could be good news. Still a ways to go but lets hope the rescuers can keep this excellent progress up and things go smoothly




Chile rescue speeds up San Jose Mine, Chile
September 30, 2010

The families of 33 trapped miners are in high spirits after a surge in the drilling of escape tunnels raised hopes that the men's rescue may come sooner than scheduled.

Relatives smiled, hugged and yelled "Viva Chile!" as officials reported one of the rescue drills made twice the progress on Tuesday than had been expected.

They promised the families that preparations for the rescue effort on the surface would be ready by October 12, and said they are planning for the possibility the miners could be pulled up nearly a month ahead of the official schedule.

But the officials also urged caution, warning that unforeseen problems could slow the work.

A siren sounded at 5pm on Tuesday in the camp where families have held vigil since a rock collapse blocked the mine's exit shaft on August 5. At first, no one knew what it meant, just that it was good news.

Then, rescue workers came down to report that the "Plan B" drill had reached 300 meters deep, nearly halfway to its goal, after advancing 74 meters on Tuesday, more than twice as fast as expected.




More at link....... (http://www.theage.com.au/world/chile-rescue-speeds-up-20100929-15xdj.html)

[Twisted Titan]

Is this the same group of miners where the wife and his misstress both show up hoping he is okay???

T

[Dogman]

Is this the same group of miners where the wife and his misstress both show up hoping he is okay???

T


Yea

Thinky that dude is in deep doo doo when he finally sees the light. (In more ways than one) :lol