The first of the trapped Chilean mine workers have reached the surface. The shuttle journeys of the rescue capsule, dubbed ‘Phoenix’ are the culmination of the efforts to rescue the miners since the collapse two months ago. Since the rescue of the first miner, 31-year-old Florencio Avalos, shortly after midnight local time, a further eight have emerged at the time of writing.
Aside from the one-minute warning alarm that sounds as each miner approaches the surface, Church bells were rung across Chile for a minute following the rescue of Avalos.
Although the families of each of the miners wait for the good news regarding their loved ones at nearby Camp Hope, only three family members chosen by each miner are permitted to wait at the portal.
Taking approximately an hour to liberate each man, the rescue will hopefully reach a successful conclusion a day and a half after the operation began.
