It’s been almost ten weeks since a collapse trapped 33 Chilean gold and copper miners in a claustrophobic void 2,000 feet beneath the surface, where they’ve been forced to pass the time by watching Troy and Benjamin Button. Starting tonight or early tomorrow morning, they will finally be free, as the rescue mission begins. After a couple days of test runs, a specially designed capsule is ready. It will lift up one man at a time. The last miner to leave will be the shift chief, whom many credit with saving the crew by effectively rationing food and keeping order.
There is a live feed. Right now, it is mainly a bunch of guys in hard hats idling around the crane holding the capsule, but it should get pretty riveting within the hour.
Chilean Mine Rescue Underway [WP]
Near Copiapo, Chile: Live coverage of miners’ rescue [WP]
