Chilean Miners

[Robobum]

Was amazed to see some of the coverage this morning of when the first rescuer got down to see all the guys that were trapped.

I expected some sort of bun fight over who was first to go up in the pod thing especially given the manic way that the south americans do most things.

Shocked to see them all waiting orderly for their turn to come round. First one up gets first dibs on selling his story to the waiting press!!??

 

[Atticus_Finch]

Watching it while waiting for my airport pick up. Totally uplifting in every sense of the word. It shows what can be achieved when men come together and work as a unit. A lesson for all.

 

[chrisd]

Brilliant that they are out. 25 years ago they wouldn't have been found, let alone, rescued.

Feel a certain amount for the ones who's wives and mistresses have turned up to greet them!


Chris

 

[drawboy]

I'm with Atticus on this, a really heart warming story with a happy ending for a change, well done all involved with this rescue.

 

[birdieman]

Being pulled 800m up in a tin can through a very narrow dark hole would be pretty intimidating in itself but having been down there for 60 odd days it must feel fantastic when they surface.

At 1 hour per man would you want to be No.33? That's nearly a day and a half longer down that hole than the first man!

Great tale of human endeavour though and an example of team spirit through adversity.

 

[brendy]

21 inches wide, theres a few guys on here (me included), that would need to have been down a hole for nearly ten weeks just to fit back up

 

[RGDave]

Good news, agreed.

Not so long ago, people were "left behind" (on purpose) when building things - I don't know if this "wastage" included mining, but I guess so. Nice to see human life valued and a world-class effort put into the rescue.

 

[richart]

Did the canary make it ?

 

[brendy]

Good news, agreed.

Not so long ago, people were "left behind" (on purpose) when building things - I don't know if this "wastage" included mining, but I guess so. Nice to see human life valued and a world-class effort put into the rescue.

Are you sure that wasnt a james bond movie.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It is a great feelgood story especially in an area of the world not usually associated too closely with such news. I think the Chilean government and the rescue services have all done a great job.

Apparently at least 5 of the miners have wives and mistresses (one has several mistresses apparently) and so I wonder if any will be asking to go back down once they all get hold of him

 

[madandra]

I watched it this morning before heading out and it was rather heart warming watching everyone pull together to save the lives of 33 wee heroes.

I hope the rescuers get the recognition they deserve.

 

[madandra]

I am watching Borak Obama praising NASA for designing the capsule, the American drilling company who designed the drill and the American drill operator who flew in from Afganistan to save the miners....Once again Team America save the world

 

[Dodger]

I am watching Borak Obama praising NASA for designing the capsule, the American drilling company who designed the drill and the American drill operator who flew in from Afganistan to save the miners....Once again Team America save the world

Bet you he didn't mention the Ryder Cup though.

 

[Smiffy]

Once again Team America save the world

Who did you expect, Thunderbirds?

 

[JustOne]

I'm bored of it already, ....seen one Chilean seen 'em all.

 

[CliveW]

I am watching Borak Obama praising NASA for designing the capsule, the American drilling company who designed the drill and the American drill operator who flew in from Afganistan to save the miners....Once again Team America save the world

I bet he didn't mention Linda Norgrove.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/oct/13/linda-norgrove-us-commando-disciplinary

 

[Basher]

I'm bored of it already, ....seen one Chilean seen 'em all.

Bit harsh mate!

Each rescuee is as important as the next. I can just imagine the same thing over here.
"Wahey! The capsule arrives at the rescue site. The engineers rig up the capsule to the winch. Lift above the hole and carefully lower down....oh $hit, it doesn't fit. Followed by a few hours of frantic panel beating!

I think the rescue operation has gone incredibly well. Slow and steady with (up to press, no hiccups) Saying that, we do have Americans to thank for the entire operation. Suppose they'll make a film about it next without any reference to Chilean rescuers as they will all be portrayed by All American actors.

 

[Iaing]

If it had been over here the TV companies would have had the public phoning a premium rate line to vote on who got out first ( and last ).

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Apparently they have been told by the government not to talk to the press as the government themselves have negotiated a film deal for them

 

[Dodger]

Some of those miners might want to go back to being trapped when they discover what awaits them on the surface.....it appears that the disease isn't just confined to Tiger over the other side of the world!! Warm Bastards

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... iners.html

Authorities at Camp Hope have had to deal with a rush of women coming forward claiming to be first in the Chilean miners' affections in order to receive government handouts.

At least five wives have been forced to come face to face with mistresses whose existence was kept from them by their husbands, who have been trapped more than 2,300ft below since a cave in on August 5.

One miner has four women fighting over him in an effort to claim compensation offered to the families of those facing between three to four months underground until a rescue shaft can reach them.

Government officials are considering asking the 33 trapped miners to name those they want to claim the benefits entitled to them in a bid to solve problems on the surface.

"There has been a lot of conflict between women," admitted Marta Flores a Red Cross worker at the makeshift camp where relatives wait for news of their loved ones.

"We had a big bust up in the canteen tent when a wife came across a woman who claimed to be her husband's lover – we had to step in and pull them apart before things got physical." At stake are welfare packages issued to the families of the trapped miners as well as future compensation claims that could run into tens of thousands of pounds.

"Unfortunately the conflict stems from money issues," said Mrs Flores. "Some of the men have children from numerous women and all of them have arrived here to stake their claim. I've met five families in this situation but I'm sure there are more." Some women turned up at the camp to discover that their partners already had a wife and children who they knew nothing about.

"Those that truly love their men have slipped away quietly not wanting to cause any more pain to the families but others are putting up a fight." Special welfare officers trained in marital issues have been brought in to provide help to women faced with their husband's infidelity.

One miner, who has not been named, has a first wife he never divorced, his live-in partner, a mother of a child he had several years ago, and a woman who claims to be his current girlfriend all visiting the camp.

"It's a logistical nightmare trying to keep them apart and of course they all want to send messages," said Mrs Flores.

The team of psychologists charged with ensuring the mental welfare of the men below ground are attempting keep such developments from the miners.

"We read all the letters before they are sent down to make sure the miners do not experience any extra anxiety," said Alberto Iturra, head of the psychological team.

One of the trapped miners, Yonni Barrios Rojas, who is using his first aid training to treat medical problems underground is among those who faces difficult questions when he finally makes it the surface.

His wife, Marta Salinas, 56, discovered he had a mistress when she came across another woman holding a vigil for him. The other woman, Susana Valenzuela, said they met on a training course five years ago and he was planning to leave his wife for her.

"He is my husband. He loves me and I am his devoted wife," insisted Mrs Salinas. "This other woman has no legitimacy