Ten years ago, this evening, final preparations were being made to lift 33 Chilean miners to the surface after they had been trapped for 69 days in a collapsed mine 2,300 feet underground. At 12:11 AM Eastern time on October 13, 2010, the first miner reached the surface. 22 ½ hours later, the 33rd and final miner exited the 28 inch-wide “Phoenix” rescue capsule to the cheers and applause all those who had waited and worked tirelessly to reunite the men with their families.
I have not seen any news about this today. Obviously, there is a lot going on in the world right now. I realized that it was the 10th anniversary because of a Facebook “memory” that reminded me of the following post from October 12, 2020:
“I am absolutely in awe of the amazing rescue operation taking place in Chile. What a triumph of the human spirit. Lifting prayers for the continued success of this tenuous process.”
The mine first collapsed on August 5, 2010. For seventeen long and arduous days, the world waited as workers try to make contact with the miners. Finally, on August 22nd, a probe broke through into a cavity. When the probe was brought back to the surface, there was a note attached with the words:
“Estamos bien en El Refugio los 33”
“We are well in the Refuge – the 33”
At the time, American Jeff Hart was in Afghanistan drilling water wells for forward operating bases for the United States Army. Once news broke that the miners were still alive, he was on a plane headed for Chile. He was widely respected as one of the most skilled drill operators in the world. He would be on the rig the day the “Plan B” drill broke through the roof of the mine.
As Jeff Hart’s work began, a team was assembled to keep the men as healthy as possible until they could be rescued. The shaft from the initial probe was large enough to send food, water and medicine to the men. A team of experts from NASA provided consultation on how to best meet the physical and emotional needs of the miners as their predicament shared many of the challenges of prolonged time in space.
Almost immediately after the collapse, “the 33” worked together to establish a plan. They agreed upon how they would ration the emergency food supply that was in “the refuge”. For those first 17 days, each man would have 2 tablespoons of tuna every 48 hours along with a few sips of condensed milk.
Among the artifacts that were eventually on exhibit at the National Museum of Natural History was the Bible that the men used each day during a time of prayer. They also created makeshift games of checkers and dominos.
The sixty-nine-day ordeal was not without its challenges and disagreements. From what I have been able to read online, some of the men still struggle from the physical and emotional toll of the traumatic experience and the global notoriety that followed. However, many of the men talk about how their faith and their families were what pulled them through. They remain grateful for the international cooperation that led to their rescue.
As I wrote 10 years ago, this story is a tribute to the triumph of the human spirit.
It reminds us…
that human life is precious and fragile.
faith and hope are crucial in times of despair.
there are a lot of really good people willing to make tremendous sacrifices to help others.
of what we can accomplish when we set aside our political and ideological differences to focus on a common goal.
of who we are when we are at our very best.
From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise - practice these things - whatever you learned, received, heard, or saw in us. The God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9 CEB