3 Trapped Chilean Miners Rescued in Complex Operation

Alfonso Avalos (L), father of the Chilean trapped miner Florencio Avalos celebrates after his son was rescued from the San Jose mine, near Copiapo, Chile. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Three of the 33 miners trapped deep underground for more than two months in northern Chile have been rescued, BBC reports Wednesday.

The first, Florencio Avalos, reached the surface at 00:10 am local time after being hoisted up from the 624-meter shaft in a capsule. He was chosen to lead the way because he was one of the fittest of the miners.

In addition to media and onlookers cheers, Avalos was greeted on the surface by his wife and young son, and was hugged by Chilean President Sebastian Pinera, whose address, delivered at the spot, declared the first rescue a miracle.

"This won't be over until all 33 are out," the President said.

A capsule carrying a paramedic with the Chilean navy's Special Forces was later sent down to the miners' refuge.

The second rescued miner reached the surface about an hour later. He is identified as Mario Sepulveda. Smiling broadly, he thanked the technical experts who had made it possible and said it was a night of emotion.

Officials say they should be able to rescue one miner each hour, and that it would take about 48 hours to complete the operation.

It was reported meanwhile by the Bulgarian TV channel bTV that a third miner, 52, has been rescued

Bolivian President Evo Morales is also expected to arrive at San Jose to greet Carlos Mamani, a Bolivian national and the only non-Chilean in the group. He is scheduled to be the fourth miner brought to the surface.

During the rescue operation the miners are wearing a "bio-harness" designed for astronauts, which will monitor their heart rate, breathing, temperature and oxygen consumption.

The top of the shaft has been reinforced with metal casing to prevent crumbling surface rocks from breaking away during the rescue.

The first few men to be brought to the surface would include some of the most psychologically stable and experienced of the miners, in case something goes wrong during the first few rescues. The weakest will come next.

After family reunions, all miners will be flown to the hospital in the nearby city of Copiapo, which is on standby to receive them amidst heightened security and crowds of journalists and local people.

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