In August of 2010, *** mine collapsed in northern Chile, trapping all 33 miners underground. The men were trapped for *** total of 69 days before they were rescued on October 13 when the mine collapsed, all communication was lost. In the 33 workers moved to an underground emergency shelter, engineering and mining experts from around the world worked on the long and painstaking process to get them out. After *** few weeks, rescuers were able to drill *** small hole big enough to send down food and we this also opened up communication, allowing the men to send video messages to their families. Eventually, after more than two months of work rescuers were able to lift the miners out one by one through *** narrow escape tunnel. They were transported in *** capsule painted blue, red and white, which are the colors of the Chilean flag. It took just under 23 hours to bring all 33 men safely to the surface, and more than one billion people around the world watched the triumphant moment live on tv.
This Day in History: Chilean miners rescued after 69 days underground
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Updated: 8:42 AM EDT Oct 13, 2023
On Oct. 13, 2010, 33 miners in northern Chile were rescued after spending more than two months underground.The copper and gold mine collapsed on Aug. 5, and they were trapped for 69 days — nearly half a mile underground — until they were rescued.Watch the video above to learn more about this story.After the collapse, the 33 men, ranging in age from 19 to 63, moved to an underground emergency shelter area with a limited supply of food and water. They were not able to communicate with emergency officials.Engineering and mining experts from around the world worked tirelessly to free them. On Aug. 22, rescuers were able to drill a small hole traveling from the surface down to the miners — 2,300 feet underground. Not long after, the men sent up a note that translated in English to, "We are fine in the shelter, the 33 of us." This opened up communication and rescuers were able to send down food, water and medicine. The men also sent up video messages to their families, many of whom were camping on-site in tents during the rescue efforts. While the miners were underground, Elizabeth Segovia, the wife of trapped miner Ariel Ticona, gave birth to a girl she named Esperanza, the Spanish word for "hope."On Oct. 13, after more than two months, the miners were lifted out safely, one by one, through a narrow escape tunnel in a rescue capsule painted blue, red and white — the colors of the Chilean flag. It took just under 23 hours to lift all 33 men safely to the surface. More than 1 billion people around the world watched the rescue live on TV.Below is a list of the 33 miners' names:Alex Vega Salazar, Ariel Ticona, Carlos Andres Bugueno Alfaro, Carlos Mamani Solis, Carlos Barrios Contreras, Claudio Acuna Cortes, Claudio David Yanez Lagos, Daniel Esteban Herrera Campos, Darios Antonio Segovia Rojas, Edison Fernando Pena Villaroel, Esteban Alfonso Rojas Carrizo, Florencio Antonio Avalos Silva, Franklin Lobos Ramirez, Jorge Hernan Galleguillos Orellana, Jose Henriquez Gonzalez, Jose Ojeda Vidal, Juan Carlos Aguilar Gaete, Juan Illanes Palma, Jimmy Sanchez Lagues, Luis Alberto Urzua Iribarren, Mario Nicolus Gomez Heredia, Mario Sepulveda Espinace, Omar Alejandro Reygada Rojas, Osman Isidro Araya Araya, Pablo Amadeos Rojas Villacorta, Pedro Cortez Contreras, Raul Enriquez Bustos Ibanez, Renan Anselmo Avalos Silva, Richard Reinald Villarroel Godoy, Samuel Dionisio Avalos Acuna, Victor Antonio Segovia Rojas, Victor Zamora Bugueno, Yonni Barrios Rojas.
On Oct. 13, 2010, 33 miners in northern Chile were rescued after spending more than two months underground.
The copper and gold mine collapsed on Aug. 5, and they were trapped for 69 days — nearly half a mile underground — until they were rescued.
Watch the video above to learn more about this story.
After the collapse, the 33 men, ranging in age from 19 to 63, moved to an underground emergency shelter area with a limited supply of food and water. They were not able to communicate with emergency officials.
Engineering and mining experts from around the world worked tirelessly to free them.
On Aug. 22, rescuers were able to drill a small hole traveling from the surface down to the miners — 2,300 feet underground. Not long after, the men sent up a note that translated in English to, "We are fine in the shelter, the 33 of us."
This opened up communication and rescuers were able to send down food, water and medicine. The men also sent up video messages to their families, many of whom were camping on-site in tents during the rescue efforts.
While the miners were underground, Elizabeth Segovia, the wife of trapped miner Ariel Ticona, gave birth to a girl she named Esperanza, the Spanish word for "hope."
On Oct. 13, after more than two months, the miners were lifted out safely, one by one, through a narrow escape tunnel in a rescue capsule painted blue, red and white — the colors of the Chilean flag. It took just under 23 hours to lift all 33 men safely to the surface.
More than 1 billion people around the world watched the rescue live on TV.
Below is a list of the 33 miners' names:
Alex Vega Salazar, Ariel Ticona, Carlos Andres Bugueno Alfaro, Carlos Mamani Solis, Carlos Barrios Contreras, Claudio Acuna Cortes, Claudio David Yanez Lagos, Daniel Esteban Herrera Campos, Darios Antonio Segovia Rojas, Edison Fernando Pena Villaroel, Esteban Alfonso Rojas Carrizo, Florencio Antonio Avalos Silva, Franklin Lobos Ramirez, Jorge Hernan Galleguillos Orellana, Jose Henriquez Gonzalez, Jose Ojeda Vidal, Juan Carlos Aguilar Gaete, Juan Illanes Palma, Jimmy Sanchez Lagues, Luis Alberto Urzua Iribarren, Mario Nicolus Gomez Heredia, Mario Sepulveda Espinace, Omar Alejandro Reygada Rojas, Osman Isidro Araya Araya, Pablo Amadeos Rojas Villacorta, Pedro Cortez Contreras, Raul Enriquez Bustos Ibanez, Renan Anselmo Avalos Silva, Richard Reinald Villarroel Godoy, Samuel Dionisio Avalos Acuna, Victor Antonio Segovia Rojas, Victor Zamora Bugueno, Yonni Barrios Rojas.
