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EnMasse
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TS.
Delicious schadenfreude
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 14585
Location: Toronto, ON
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 Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 4:09 am Post subject: Rescue of trapped Chilean miners underway |
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It is being reported that the first of the 33 miners trapped in the mine in Chile has been successfully rescued! Excellent news!
| Quote: | The first of the 33 miners trapped deep underground for more than two months in northern Chile has been rescued.
Florencio Avalos, 31, was winched up a 624m (2,047ft) shaft in a custom-built capsule, wearing an oxygen mask and a belt monitoring his vital signs.
Mr Avalos was greeted on the surface by his wife and young son, and was hugged by President Sebastian Pinera.
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The rescue operation began shortly after 2315 local time (0215 GMT) with a technical expert, Manuel Gonzalez, being lowered down.
Mr Gonzalez was supposed to return to the surface and report on the condition of the rescue shaft, before handing over to a paramedic.
However, a live video feed from the refuge where the miners were gathered showed Mr Avalos preparing to be winched up immediately. He was chosen to lead the way because he was one of the fittest of the miners.
At 0010 (0310 GMT), the "Phoenix" capsule emerged at the top of the rescue shaft, and a minute later Mr Avalos stepped out and was greeted by his family, rescuers and the president and the first lady, Cecilia Morel. He smiled widely.
Bystanders cheered and clapped, and then started chanting "Chile". |
Update: a second miner has been successfully rescued!
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"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." - Thomas Jefferson |
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Senor Magoo
He's got a big one
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 8700
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 4:09 pm Post subject: |
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This has been the most amazing story. I remember telling my wife, when it first broke, "... and they'll have to wait down there for months!".
Interesting story in the Guardian (I think... no link) about some problems surface-side, as not only did miners' wives show up at Camp Hope to wait (and submit claims for compensation) but so did a number of mistresses! In case you noticed any miners trying to shinny back down the hole! :0
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DSquared
aka Aristotleded24
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 5570
Location: Winnipeg
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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Here's what I find interesting and curious.
The fact is that these miners were all rescued alive. In the case of several high-profile mining disasters in the United States, most if not all miners involved died, despite the fact that rescuers got to them much more quickly than they did in Chile. How does this difference come about?
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Senor Magoo
He's got a big one
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 8700
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 6:20 pm Post subject: |
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This is only a wild guess, but I'd guess "luck". If you're near a safe room when the explosion happens, you might make it. If you're down a tunnel, maybe not so much. Falling rock = a problem if you're under it. Certain gases = a problem no matter where you are. And so on.
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TS.
Delicious schadenfreude
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 14585
Location: Toronto, ON
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 11:43 pm Post subject: |
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I agree with Magoo. They were likely extremely lucky to be in the area of the panic room when the cave-in began. Also, since it was a cave in, not a coal gas explosion (and coal gas explosions are what have produced the majority of modern mine disasters in North America) you have at least a little bit of warning that a cave-in is happening.
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