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Chile erupts in joy over inspirational rescue
Sixty-nine days after the San Jose gold and copper mine collapsed in Chile, the last of the 33 trapped miners was raised from the depths of the earth on Wednesday.
Strapped into a specially-made steel capsule, Luis Urzua, a foreman, stepped out of a torpedo-shaped capsule that lifted him over 2,000 feet to the surface.
It prompted an eruption of applause and cheers that seemed just as heartfelt as the outpouring that followed the emergence of the first miner nearly a day earlier.
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Chile erupts in joy over inspirational rescue
Urzua was wearing moisture-resistant green coveralls and a sunglass to protect his eyes.
"Thanks to everybody, thanks to the rescuers, thanks to all of Chile and everyone involved in this operation," the New York Times quoted Urzua, as saying.
Chile erupts in joy over inspirational rescue
Meanwhile, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera called Urzua a "great captain", and said that the miners were an example of "companionship, courage and loyalty".
"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," Pinera told Urzua after the completion of the 22 1/2-hour rescue operation.
Chile erupts in joy over inspirational rescue
Urzua was immediately rushed to a nearby medical centre for examining the condition of his health.
An estimated 700,000 tonnes of rock collapsed inside the 121-year-old mine in the historically significant mining accident on August 5.
Chile erupts in joy over inspirational rescue
Rescue officials led by a senior United States mine engineer had earlier estimated that it would take three to four months to complete the rescue.
However, the rescue exceeded expectations every step of the way, as it turned out to be 69 days and about eight hours.
Chile erupts in joy over inspirational rescue
Chile erupts in joy over inspirational rescue
Live video taken from the chamber showed the first miner 31-year-old Florencio Avalos, hugging him and within 15 minutes he reached the surface.
Chile erupts in joy over inspirational rescue
US President Barack Obama said that the Chilean mine rescue operation was a tremendous inspirational story as he watched live the great human rescue mission to evacuate 33 workers trapped 2,041-foot underearth.
"This is obviously something that's captivated the world's attention and this rescue is a tribute not only to the determination of the rescue workers and the Chilean government, but also the unity and resolve of the Chilean people who have inspired the world," Obama told media persons at the White House.
Chile erupts in joy over inspirational rescue
"I want to express the hopes of the American people that the miners who are still trapped underground will be returned home safely as soon as possible," he said.
"Last night, the whole world watched the scene at Camp Esperanza as the first miner was lifted out from under more than 2,000 feet of rock and then embraced by his young son and family. And the tears they shed -- after so much time apart -- expressed not only their own relief, not only their own joy, but the joy of people everywhere," Obama said, adding it was a thrilling moment and we're hopeful that those celebrations duplicate themselves throughout the rest of today.
Chile erupts in joy over inspirational rescue
"The NASA team that helped design the escape vehicle, to American companies that manufactured and delivered parts of the rescue drill, to the American engineer who flew in from Afghanistan to operate the drill," Obama said.
Earlier, White House Press Secretary Robert Gates had said Obama watched the rescue operation live.
"As a parent, to watch a miner's son waiting for him to come out of a mine that he'd been trapped in for almost 70 days, when people for a long time thought they might be lost, was tremendously inspirational," Gibbs said when asked about Obama's reaction to the rescue operation.