Trapped Chile Miners Celebrate Independence Day
- 14 years ago
Deep underground, the 33 trapped Chilean miners celebrate the bicentennial of their country's independence.
As the South American nation held parades and celebrations on Saturday, the trapped men could be seen on video chanting 'Chile!' and dancing with the national flag.
After watching a parade to mark the anniversary, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera sent a personal message to the miners.
[Sebastian Pinera, Chilean President]:
"I want to send a very affectionate message to the (trapped) miners. We would have like to have had them here, at Moneda, for the (September) 18 (bicentennial celebrations). As we have said many times, the work (to free them) is advancing."
Relatives outside the mine were moved as they watched video of the men celebrating.
[Carolina Lobos, Daughter of Trapped Miner]:
"It was just as emotional as when we raised the flag out here, just as emotional to see them dance to the flag and raise our patriotic flag together to all the comrades below, independent of their being 700 metres down below. It was very emotional for all of us who are living through this."
The men enjoyed a special menu prepared by chefs at the San Jose mine.
In one of the most challenging mining rescues ever, engineers are boring successively wider holes using three drills to free them.
The men are not expected to be rescued until late November.
As the South American nation held parades and celebrations on Saturday, the trapped men could be seen on video chanting 'Chile!' and dancing with the national flag.
After watching a parade to mark the anniversary, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera sent a personal message to the miners.
[Sebastian Pinera, Chilean President]:
"I want to send a very affectionate message to the (trapped) miners. We would have like to have had them here, at Moneda, for the (September) 18 (bicentennial celebrations). As we have said many times, the work (to free them) is advancing."
Relatives outside the mine were moved as they watched video of the men celebrating.
[Carolina Lobos, Daughter of Trapped Miner]:
"It was just as emotional as when we raised the flag out here, just as emotional to see them dance to the flag and raise our patriotic flag together to all the comrades below, independent of their being 700 metres down below. It was very emotional for all of us who are living through this."
The men enjoyed a special menu prepared by chefs at the San Jose mine.
In one of the most challenging mining rescues ever, engineers are boring successively wider holes using three drills to free them.
The men are not expected to be rescued until late November.