People the world over, from South America to Africa to Australisia have been watching the dramatic rescue of the 33 Chilean miners who spent the last 69 days trapped underground in the collapsed San Jose gold and copper mine. The rescue scenes, which may take up to 36 hours to complete, have been greeted with widespread joy as the global community blogs and tweets about it.
After the collapse of the mine on August 5, a desperate search began for survivors. By August 22 grieving had already started for these lost miners when a dramatic note, scrawled in red pen and disclosing their survival was discovered. This began an almost two month long rescue attempt that culminated in today’s efforts. Nothing has been left to chance as experts from the world over have combined their expertise providing hundreds of contingency plans. The Chilean president promising the miners would receive extensive care for the next 6 months at least.
The 69 days of survival underground is unprecedented, but the world has been stunned by the incredible solidarity the miners have displayed during their ordeal. This strength of spirit and unity has lasted right to the end with the miners good-naturedly arguing about who should be rescued first.
Janette Marin, sister-in-law of miner Dario Segovia, said the order of rescue didn't matter.
"This won't be a success unless they all get out," she said, echoing the solidarity that the miners and people across Chile have expressed.
The miners have also had their religious needs attended to while they have been trapped, with the local Catholic priest lending prayer support, hearing confessions, and even organizing Holy Communion for them.
At the scene of the rescue attempt, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said "This won't be over until all 33 are out. Hopefully the spirit of these miners will remain forever with us. ... This country is capable of great things."
"We made a promise to never surrender, and we kept it," Pinera added. Pinera also took the opportunity to acknowledge the role that God, faith and hope had played throughout the ordeal.
People all over Chile have been attending nightly prayer vigils for the miners.
U.S. President Barack Obama praised rescuers, who include many Americans. "While that rescue is far from over and difficult work remains, we pray that by God's grace, the miners will be able to emerge safely and return to their families soon," he said.