Chile could rescue miners by mid-October: Report

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Agence France-Presse

Chile could rescue miners by mid-October: Report
AFP September 21, 2010 12:10 PM

Copiapo, Chile - Workers in Chile expect to be able to rescue 33 trapped miners by mid-October, rather than early November as originally anticipated, a news report said Tuesday.

The daily El Mercurio newspaper, citing unnamed government sources, reported that officials said state-of-the-art drilling equipment at the scene has made faster-than-expected progress in efforts to reach the men, who have been trapped underground since an August 5 mine collapse.

"There is a chance of completing the operation before President (Sebastian) Pinera departs for Europe on the 15th" of October, one official was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

Shortly after the mine collapse, Chilean authorities warned that it was unlikely that they would be able to free the men before Christmas, but later said a rescue could take place as early as November.


Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Chile+could+rescue+miners+October+Report/3556495/story.html

[tk2kewl]

1. good news.

[Peace Patriot]

2. I'm very glad to see that the time-line to rescue is now improved.

I hope and pray that all goes well.

:grouphug:

[zipplewrath]

3. I suspect every hour will be greatly appreciated

If I was down there, you couldn't get to me fast enough. If someone knew how to speed it up by an hour, I'd be all for it.

[Uncle Joe]

4. I hope so.

Thanks for the thread, Judi Lynn.

[Judi Lynn]

6. Thanks to you, Uncle Joe.

:hi:

[Judi Lynn]

5. Chilean hospital prepares for the arrival of 33 trapped miners

Chilean hospital prepares for the arrival of 33 trapped miners
By Karl Penhaul
September 23, 2010 -- Updated 0726 GMT (1526 HKT)

Copiapo, Chile (CNN) -- Military choppers are on standby to swoop into the heliport. Motorcycle police are on alert to escort a fleet of ambulances. And a throng of electric beds with crisp white sheets stand vacant and ready.

This is part of the contingency plan to rush 33 trapped miners from the spot where many hope they will be pulled out of the earth to a hospital in Copiapo, the nearest town to the collapsed San Jose gold and copper mine.

"We've been ready since Day One of this disaster," said Hernan Rojas, director of Copiapo Regional Hospital. "We expected injured miners to start coming in soon after the collapse, but this has dragged out."

Government rescue coordinator Andre Sougarret said that by the end of this week, he will commission the construction of three cage-like capsules that will haul the miners back to the surface.

The government forecasts a rescue in early November.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/09/23/chile.miners.hospital/index.html