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First Worker Emerges From Chilean Mine

   VOA News 12 October 2010
   In  this  screen  grab  taken  from video, Florencio Avalos, the first
   miner to be rescued, center, is greeted after his rescue Tuesday, Oct.
   12, 2010 at San Jose Mine near Copiapo, Chile

Photo: AP

   In  this  screen  grab  taken  from video, Florencio Avalos, the first
   miner to be rescued, center, is greeted after his rescue Tuesday, Oct.
   12, 2010 at San Jose Mine near Copiapo, Chile

   Rescuers  in  Chile  have  freed  the first of 33 workers who had been
   trapped more than half a kilometer underground for over two months.
   Florencio  Avalos,  a  31-year-old  miner,  was brought to the surface
   shortly  after  midnight Wednesday in a metal capsule called Phoenix.Â
   Wearing  dark  sunglasses to protect his eyes from camera lights after
   10  weeks  of living in darkness, Avalos first embraced members of his
   family and then Chilean President Sebastian Pinera.
   The  metal  capsule  was  then  lowered back down, with a paramedic on
   board, to free the other miners one by one in an operation expected to
   last up to two days.
   Another  rescuer,  Manuel  Gonzalez,  descended  into the mine earlier
   Tuesday  to  assist  the  trapped  workers.  They will immediately be
   given medical attention when they reach the surface.
   More  than  a  thousand  journalists  have convened at the site in the
   Chilean  desert,  and  the  event  is  being broadcast live by Chilean
   television.
   The  33 miners - 32 Chileans and one Bolivian - have have been trapped
   for  69  days, in hot, humid conditions, since the partial collapse of
   the copper and gold mine.

                                                       MINER RESCUE FACTS

                                                   How they'll be removed
     * At least 3 mining experts to be lowered down into mine
     * 10-15 minutes for capsule to reach surface
     * 25-30 minutes for empty capsule to descend
     * Each miner will wear helmet with communicator, oxygen mask, dark
       glasses and other equipment
     * The rescue capsule is about 4.5 meters-long and about 55 cm in
       diameter; it contains an oxygen supply and guide wheels on top and
       bottom sections

   A  U.S.  State  Department  spokesman, P.J. Crowley, sent a message by
   Twitter  congratulating  Chile  for the successful rescue of the first
   miner, calling it a "remarkable display of hope and skill."
   U.S.  President  Barack Obama Tuesday offered his thoughts and prayers
   to  the  miners.   He said Americans pray the miners will soon emerge
   safely.
   Health  Minister  Jaime Manalich says the miners were calm and in good
   spirits in the final hours before the rescue operation began.
   As  the  miners  are  brought  to  the  surface, they will each wear a
   helmet,  an  oxygen  mask  and dark glasses to protect their eyes from
   natural light.
   At  least  four  rescue  workers  are  expected  to  go  into the mine
   throughout  the  process, in part to evaluate health conditions of the
   miners and to assist those who are weak or ill.
   Speaking  at  the rescue site, Chilean President Pinera said the mine,
   which  has had a history of accidents, will be closed until the safety
   of those working there can be guaranteed. 

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