Drill Breaks Through to Chile’s 33 Trapped Miners
- Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:08am by
Scott Baker
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SAN JOSE MINE, Chile (AP) – Chile’s 33 trapped miners finally have a way out.
A drill broke through to their cavern more than 2,000 feet (624 meters) underground, creating a shaft just wide enough for a specially designed escape capsule to pass through.
The sound of the siren that signalled the breakthrough thrilled the miners‘ families and spread joy across a nation that sees the rescue drama as a test of Chile’s character.
President Sebastian Pinera says what might have been a tragedy has become a blessing. A record 66 days have passed since their gold and copper mine collapsed above them, and the 33 miners are now just days away from reaching the outside world.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
SAN JOSE MINE, Chile (AP)—Sixty-six agonizing days after their gold and copper mine collapsed above them, 33 miners anxiously awaited a way out early Saturday as a drill carved into the last layers of rock above their underground purgatory.
Outside the mine, relatives staying in the tents and motor homes known as “Camp Hope” spent a restless night waiting to hear the siren blast that would announce the drill’s success.
The “Plan B” drill was poised to win a three-way race against two other drills to carve a hole wide enough for an escape capsule to pull the miners out one by one.
While “Plan A” and “Plan C” stalled after repeatedly veering off course, officials said Friday that the “Plan B” drill was nearing the miners at a point 2,047 feet (624 meters) below the surface.
Mining Minister Laurence Golborne estimated the drill would break through by midday Saturday.
Chileans have been captivated by the rescue drama, coming to see it as a test of the nation’s character and pride. Knowing that the actual rescue is now just days away also has eased some of the miners‘ families’ anxiety.
But now comes a difficult judgment call: The rescue team must decide whether it is more risky to pull the miners through un-reinforced rock, or to insert tons of heavy steel pipe into the curved shaft to protect the miners on their way up.
Steel pipe would prevent stones from falling and potentially jamming the capsule. But it wouldn’t save a miner if the unstable mine suffered 
another major collapse, and might itself cause a disastrous setback, the mining minister said.
“You would have to put though a 600-meter hole a lot of pipes that weigh more than 150 tons,” Golborne warned. “And this structure can be set in a position that also could block the movement of the Phoenix (escape capsule). It’s not an easy decision to make.”
Once the shaft is completed, experts will lower a video camera through the hole. If the examination persuades engineers that the shaft is smooth, strong and uniform enough to let the capsule pass without significant obstacles, then rescuers plan to start pulling the men out one by one as early as Tuesday.
If steel pipe is needed, that work would put off the rescue for three to eight more days.
The miners will be initially examined at a field hospital where they can be briefly reunited with up to three close relatives. Then, they’ll be flown by helicopter in small groups to the regional hospital in Copiapo, where 33 fresh beds await to care for them for no fewer than 48 hours.
Only after their physical and mental health is thoroughly examined will the men be allowed to go home.
The siren signaling completion of the rescue shaft is sure to set off a national outpouring of joy. But emotions will be especially high in “Camp Hope,” where wives, parents, siblings and children of the miners have been waiting anxiously for more than two months for this moment.
“Their nerves and tension are about to explode,” Chile’s first lady, Cecilia Morel, said Friday after arriving to talk with the families.
Morel, who has more than 30 years’ experience as a family counselor, said she encouraged them to be patient and even use breathing exercises to keep their emotions in check. She promised she would stay nearby so she can keep counseling them in the next few days.
“My interest is to try to contribute and create an atmosphere that allows them to be more calm, to be more relaxed, to learn some things,” she added.
___
Associated Press writers Vivian Sequera at the mine and Eva Vergara in Copiapo, Chile, contributed to this story.
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wash1776
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:01amThank you GOD and JESUS!!!!!!! Some good news for a change.
Report Post »red penny
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 12:30amSome good news for a change in a world where bad news is the norm.
Report Post »HEARDENOUGHCRAP
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 12:14amThank you, Jesus. Please keep these miners…and their rescuers in the palm of your hand. We pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Report Post »wonderbug
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 6:52pmThank God!!!
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 4:51pmGood…if I want to show up at school with green hair I should be allowed. We are not China where there is in individuality.
HEARDENOUGHCRAP
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 12:13amWhat does showing up at school with green hair, and Chinese individualism have to do with trapped miners in Chile?
Report Post »tenring
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 4:11pmLooks like after 33 day the Chilean Government needed the help of American mining engineers to Get R Done. No wonder the whole world hates Americans.
Report Post »Rikvind
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 7:40pmWe Chileans DO NOT hate Americans nor America. On the contrary we admire the USA Founding Fathers work and principles, which are present in our Constitution and Laws, but mainly in everyday life. Trapped miners spent many days with no contact with rescue teams, but they organized themselves quite well to endure the waiting dedicating a specific place for praying. Most Chileans are strong Christian believers, honest hard workers and respectful to all visitors and aliens. We love our country whose flag seems being cut from the center of the American one and we love America as a whole. Our best wishes for the USA, may God help Americans find their way back to their principles soon.
Report Post »ILFarmer
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 2:19pmI’m amazed that they have survived for this long. I bet a shower and a shave and a good hot meal is the first thing they want after seeing to their loved ones. I can’t imagine the psychological trauma they have suffered being stuck in a hold nearly a half mile below the surface.
It will be great to see these miners safely ON Terra Firma once more.
Report Post »Masamune
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 2:06pmHooray! For once someone was actually saved!
Report Post »Pegmac
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 1:57pmThere is one person in that hole that will never want to come out…the one with the wife and mistress waiting for him…..I am glad they are finally getting out, but I bet he isn’t!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »tigerclaw
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 1:11pmI’m so happy for these men and their families. It seems the whole world is rooting for them!
Report Post »Mr.Citrus
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 12:14pmyea yea…. anyone have some pizza? yea i want 5 burgers to go and a large Coke…
no really great news!
Report Post »George1
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 11:58amTruly wonderful news! You have some have some serious grit to stand two months underground like that, kickass job, Chile!
Report Post »jtjohn40
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 11:46amMay God put a “shield” of protection around the miner’s in the final phase of the rescue … God be with their loved ones.
Report Post »Jimmers46
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 11:06amProof that God hears our prayers and gives men the ability to overcome adversity. Now if we can only get our government to pay attention.
Report Post »smugsmiley
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 11:02amWhat an incredible display of human empathy and endurance. I salute the rescuers and I’m so happy for the miners and their families! My grandfather was a miner and I can’t imagine what being trapped underground for more than two months must be like.
Report Post »Waiting4George
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:48amThis is excellent news.I am very happy for the miners and their loved ones. Did I miss the mention that NASA was sent to help? Did I miss a mention of our fearless leader condemning Chilean authorities for mine safety violations? Surely there were violations. Must be. Couldn’t just be a horrible accident that can occur when man tunnels his way beneath the earth….
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:43amOur thoughts and prayers have been with the men and their rescuers for all these many days and this is such good news. We will continue the prayers until they are back in the arms of their family and friends. May the love of God strengthen all.
Report Post »aks368
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:42amYEA!!! The families must be thrilled. Keep up the good work everyone!
Report Post »Capt_Spalding
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:38amPraise God! Here’s hoping they all get out very soon and very safely.
Report Post »GringoBob
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:37amthere is a God
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:34amOur thoughts and prayers have been with the men and their rescuers and will continue until they are all safe and sound in the arms of their family and friends. May they keep the faith and love of God in their hearts. WTG
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:24amThis Is absolutely amazing news – see what happens when people of other countries work together – there is a lesson in this for all of us! http://wp.me/pYLB7-cd
Report Post »carol m
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:24amI pray that they all make it out safe and sound,
Report Post »oldglorygirl
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:18amWhat GOOD news!
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:18amCome on out boys, the sun is shining.
Report Post »solaveritas
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 12:24pmPraise God. Prayer works. I pray that each of the miners, for the rest of his life, teaches others the value of life and the God that created it.
Report Post »Independent Tess
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 12:31pmAn so happy for their families. too!!!
Report Post »snowleopard3200
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 3:34pmWe look at the news about bad things happening all the time, and yet here we have a group of true survivors; they have endured as a band of brothers for months in a living, rock lined hell while waiting for rescue. Yet hardly a word seems to be shown up on the news I have seen (I can be wrong on this part I will admit.)
Praise be unto God for their safe rescue and soon to be reunion with families.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (mixed art)
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