Chile Rejoices as Rescued Miners Emerge
Source: The New York Times, Alexei Barrionuevo and Simon Romero (10/13/10)
"The last of the miners was pulled to safety at 9:55 p.m. local time."
As the miners were rescued in a pageant that moved their worldwide audience—watching on television, computers, even cellphones—to tears and laughter.
"Please don't treat us as stars," said Mario Sepúlveda, 39, on Wednesday, wearing a green jumpsuit and dark sunglasses, in comments that many here absorbed with a warm smile. "I want to be treated as Mario Sepúlveda and I want to continue working. That's all I want."
With President Sebastián Piñera presiding over each rescue as a kind of master of ceremonies, the months of waiting boiled over every time the rescue capsule popped out of the ground.
After night fell on the mine on Wednesday, the last of the miners was pulled to safety at 9:55 p.m. local time, stepping into the embrace of family members and an electrified nation.
"Please don't treat us as stars," said Mario Sepúlveda, 39, on Wednesday, wearing a green jumpsuit and dark sunglasses, in comments that many here absorbed with a warm smile. "I want to be treated as Mario Sepúlveda and I want to continue working. That's all I want."
With President Sebastián Piñera presiding over each rescue as a kind of master of ceremonies, the months of waiting boiled over every time the rescue capsule popped out of the ground.
After night fell on the mine on Wednesday, the last of the miners was pulled to safety at 9:55 p.m. local time, stepping into the embrace of family members and an electrified nation.