All 33 Chilean Miners Rescued

All thirty-three miners trapped underground in Chile for 69 days have been rescued. One by one, over a tense 22 hours, the men emerged into freedom after spending over two months 700 metres underground. The men were met with wild applause and hugs from rescuers and family before being put on a stretcher and taken to hospital for two days of medical checks. They were all in surprisingly good health, although one had pneumonia and several had dental problems. Their story had gripped the world since the mine collapse in August. Their rescue attracted a TV audience on a par with Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon or a football World Cup Final. Television stations across the globe were reporting record viewing figures as people were glued to their TV sets.

Luis Urzua was the last man to be rescued. The operation worked perfectly and was the climax to months of careful preparation to save the men. No one has ever spent so long so deep underground and survived. Chilean president Sebastian Pinera was ecstatic with seeing the men freed. He said: "We have done what the entire world was waiting for. The 70 days that we fought so hard were not in vain. We had strength, we had spirit, we wanted to fight, we wanted to fight for our families, and that was the greatest thing." The president told Urzua "You are not the same, and the country is not the same after this. You were an inspiration. Go hug your wife and your daughter." Mr Pinera also had a message for Victor Segovia, the 15th miner out: "Welcome to life."

Read more about this story on the BBC News complete report.