Chile Marks One Month Since Miners Trapped
MONDAY, 06 SEPTEMBER 2010 07:06
Chile`s Mining Minister Laurence Golborne led a commemoration at the San Jose mine on Sunday to mark the one-month anniversary since the 33 miners have been trapped underground in northern Chile.
Vehicles on the site honked to mark the exact time the mine initially collapsed on Aug. 5 and family members sang and cried in honor of their relatives trapped 700 meters below the site near Copiapo.
Also Sunday, drilling for Plan B began, as Plan A is already underway further uphill and could take three to four months. Plan C, the third and final rescue plan, which could take only a few weeks, may begin later this week, as crews work to build a platform the size of a football field to support the oil drill, which is expected to arrive Thursday.
Over the weekend, the miners were able to speak a second time to family members, this time using video. They also spoke with four Uruguayan survivors of an Andean plane crash in 1972, who were rescued on the Chilean side of the mountain after 72 days alone in the freezing cold wilderness. “We feel very grateful to the Chilean people,” Pedro Algorta, now 59, said Saturday from outside the mine. “I don’t have any advice, I just have a testimony. We made it, you’re going to make it. There’s a normal life afterwards. ”
The survivors, only some of whom knew each other before the crash, said they are now closer than brothers. Algorta said there will likely be some tension while the miners wait, but they must remain a team. “Now they are very united, they have a strong common enemy — the mountain,” he added.
The visit followed several days of observation and advice from NASA experts, who left the country Saturday and who praised the routines that they Chilean crews have already established for the miners.
The mental and physical health of the miners has been under close inspection. Over the weekend, the psychologist on site, Alberto Iturra, said despite the possibility proposed and the miners’ request, it would be unwise to allow them wine and empanadas for the upcoming Bicentennial celebrations on Sept. 18. The miners are only slowly beginning to eat solid, hot food, one month on.
Over the 30 days, many visitors have come and gone to the site, including entertainers for the youngest relatives of the miners, and local musicians.
Family members however are now taking turns remaining on site, having to go back to work nearby. Meanwhile, some criticized the government for allowing only a short period of time to speak with their loved ones.
Description:
I like this because and is shortly to take them out of the mine
It has good images:because give hope
