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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2010 1:00:20 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2010 1:05:02 GMT
The cage is empty, although I think a medical worker has been sent down. They don't appear to be able to open it.
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2010 1:28:49 GMT
Gad, I wish they'd take the camera off that poor woman. She is a relation of the first miner who will be brought up. There are strong lights in her face and the camera is trained right on her family. She is trying to keep her face covered & her husband is trying to comfort her.
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Post by mich64 on Oct 13, 2010 2:04:20 GMT
I am watching it too Bix, hoping all is going to end happily!
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2010 2:11:33 GMT
Oh good! Thanks, Mich. I wanted someone to hold my hand through this. It's exciting, but harrowing.
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2010 2:14:31 GMT
I believe Manuel González, the first rescuer, is finally on his way down. They're closing up the cage. It seemed to me they wasted time with González shaking hands with Piñera, etc. Get on with it!
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2010 2:20:08 GMT
I found myself gasping for breath as I read this: news.yahoo.com/s/ap/lt_chile_mine_collapseIt answers quite a few questions. The first miner might be up in less than three hours. Okay -- González really is descending now!
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2010 2:56:36 GMT
TOO exciting -- the capsule is re-ascending!
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2010 3:02:40 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2010 3:11:33 GMT
It's out! It's out!
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2010 3:13:23 GMT
He's out of the capsule and safe. So moving.
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2010 3:15:53 GMT
And strong men cried!
Wow. I guess there was the fear right up till the end that somehow it wouldn't work.
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2010 4:18:32 GMT
Second guy is out. from this link: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/chile/8058924/Chile-Miners-Rescue-Live.htmlMr Sepulveda has arrived safely on the surface to shouts, claps and cheersGreeted by his beaming wife, he is helped out of the capsule by rescue workers. Cleary overjoyed to be freed, he hugs Mr Pinera three times and shakes the hands of several rescue workers, before leading the crowd in a hearty chant of "Chi chi chi, le le le!". Mr Sepulveda is the most famous miner from Los 33. He is known as "the presenter" for his role making video diaries of life underground and interviewing his fellow trapped miners. Charismatic and confident, he is likely to become a television star in Chile. .
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2010 5:04:04 GMT
I've been wondering what it's going to be like to be the very last person down there.
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2010 5:07:12 GMT
At least with all the video feeds, the person will remain in contact. But still ..........
from link above: Parademic Patricio Roblero will stay in the mine until the last miner has been sent to the surface, even if that means spending 48 hours there.
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2010 5:08:01 GMT
Mr. Illanes is at the surface.
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2010 5:12:16 GMT
The things that Sepulveda was handing out to the rescuers were rocks with gold in them.
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2010 7:30:21 GMT
I wonder why they're fixing the Fénix 2 right now, instead of sending down the extra capsule.
Whatever, the rescues will have to go on without me, as I must go to bed.
What a stirring night this was.
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Post by mickthecactus on Oct 13, 2010 8:16:25 GMT
Absolutely riveting viewing...............
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2010 8:32:26 GMT
Being rather claustrophobic myself, I readily understand all of the preparation that is done before going in that capsule.
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Post by mickthecactus on Oct 13, 2010 8:51:17 GMT
Being miners I guess claustrophobia isn't much of a problem with them though.
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Post by joanne28 on Oct 13, 2010 14:53:09 GMT
This is so moving and so uplifting for all of us. This is definitely a "happy ever after" ending and such good news.
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2010 15:03:41 GMT
Well, not all of them were seasoned miners. This is from the telegraph.uk link: Carlos Mamani only worked in the mine for five days That's turned out to be a pretty gruelling first week at work. He's a mechanic who met his wife while they were working on a tomato farm.Mamani is the one from Bolivia. I think he's the one who is 23. The 19-year-old miner apparently suffered the most psychologically down there in that cave. The Guardian.uk blog, which updates every minute, says that Victor Zamora, the 14th miner to be rescued, is really a driver, not a miner. An earthquake destroyed his previous workplace, & he wasn't supposed to be in the mine. It's so great that you people on the other side of the Atlantic are in a different time zone and were able to monitor this after I crawled off to bed! I think part of watching the rescue is the same feeling as remaining alert in order to keep the plane aloft.
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Post by mickthecactus on Oct 13, 2010 15:11:53 GMT
I keep checking BBC news which has live coverage so I went up with one of the miners in the cage. Amazing.............
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2010 15:15:31 GMT
Damn -- I missed that!
But since I hold my breath the whole time the pulley wheel turns bringing a guy up, it's probably just as well.
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2010 15:22:14 GMT
I have been wondering what their immune systems are like right now. They're accustomed to each others germs, but have been isolated from the latest colds, flus, etc. They come up from that hot, humid environment into almost freezing weather and immediately get embraced by all kinds of people. Even the medics aren't wearing masks.
This is what the Guardian.uk Twitter reporter says about one aspect of their lives underground: Miners' skin so soft and delicate they're having trouble shaving. Gillette sponsorship to follow? about 6 hours, 3 minutes ago
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Post by mich64 on Oct 13, 2010 17:00:26 GMT
Hi Bix, they seem to really be having trouble with that door. My husband is a firefighter, he is on a day off and has been watching since last night, he is worried.... Is it true that there is a susbstitute capsule if this one becomes inoperable?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2010 17:00:59 GMT
I was reading that both their wives and mistresses are waiting for them. How long will the harmony last?
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2010 17:42:43 GMT
Mich, I read that last night somewhere, about the extra capsule. I guess with all the checks, they still feel confident with the first one. I suppose if they switched, they would have to go through the whole initial process again -- an empty dry run, sending down a rescuer, etc.
It does seem more nerve-wracking as there are still half of them left down there, plus the rescue guys.
I just saw a quick glimpse from the inside as the capsule ascends! Esteban Royas is inside.
You know, last night those men were down there in 90° heat and they had to suit up in coveralls and jackets & helmets, then get closed up in that tube for several minutes before it started to ascend. It's really horrible to contemplate.
Kerouac, one of the guys stipulated that it should be the mistress, not the wife, waiting for him at the top.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2010 17:51:12 GMT
Kerouac, one of the guys stipulated that it should be the mistress, not the wife, waiting for him at the top. Not that they'll get much compared to a lot of other countries, but a lot of people are going to want to cash in on the nice free hotels, the unlimited food and drink, the gifts... while it lasts. And then all of the attention will dry up and everybody will forget, as they always do. But at least they are getting out alive!
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