From Darkness to Light

In 2010, 33 Chilean miners were trapped 700 meters underground for 69 days. They survived in extreme conditions by rationing limited food and water. A global rescue effort, including NASA, was launched, and after 17 days of uncertainty, the miners were found alive. Demonstrating extraordinary unity and resilience, they aided their own rescue. The world watched as they were individually brought to the surface in a dramatic rescue operation. Their story is a powerful testament to human endurance, hope, and teamwork in the face of adversity.

Chronology

August 5, 2010

• A massive collapse occurs at the San José copper-gold mine near Copiapó, Chile.
• 33 miners are trapped 700 meters underground.

August 6-16, 2010

• Attempts are made to locate the miners, but initial rescue efforts fail.
• Miners ration their available food and water to survive.

August 17, 2010

• A drill reaches the miners’ refuge and retrieves a note confirming they are alive: “Estamos bien en el refugio, los 33” (“We are well in the shelter, the 33”).

August 18 – September, 2010

• Regular communication is established, and supplies are sent down through boreholes.
• Rescue plans are formulated, involving drilling escape shafts.

October 9, 2010

• The main rescue shaft, Plan B, reaches the miners.

October 13, 2010

• The rescue operation begins using the “Fénix” rescue capsule.
• All 33 miners are successfully rescued over a 24-hour period.

October 14, 2010

• The last miner is brought to the surface, marking the end of the 69-day ordeal.

This rescue is celebrated as a remarkable achievement in human endurance and international cooperation.

Story

The story of the 33 Chilean miners, who were trapped underground for 69 days in 2010, stands as a remarkable testament to human endurance, unity, and the indomitable will to survive against all odds.

On August 5, 2010, a catastrophic collapse at the San José copper-gold mine, located near Copiapó, Chile, trapped 33 miners more than 700 meters (2,300 feet) below the Earth’s surface. The collapse left the miners isolated in a dark, hot, and humid environment, where the threat of further cave-ins was a constant fear. The miners were experienced, ranging in age from 19 to 63, and each brought a unique strength to the dire situation.

Initially, the miners survived by rationing their limited supply of food, water, and medicine. They had only enough food to last a few days under normal circumstances, but they stretched this supply by taking very small portions, a testament to their discipline and foresight. They shared tiny amounts of canned fish, peaches, and milk every other day. The miners also used the mine’s vehicles’ batteries to power lights and improvised a system of ventilation to reduce the oppressive heat and humidity.

Above ground, their families, friends, and the global community held their breath. Rescue teams worked tirelessly to locate and reach the miners, but the complex nature of the operation, compounded by the hard rock and the risk of further collapses, made it a daunting task.

Seventeen days after the collapse, a probe finally reached the miners’ refuge and returned with a note, “Estamos bien en el refugio, los 33” (“We are well in the shelter, the 33”), signaling to the world that they were alive. This miraculous discovery galvanized international efforts. Experts from NASA and several other organizations across the globe contributed their knowledge and resources to the rescue mission.

During this period, the miners showed extraordinary unity and resilience. They organized themselves into shifts to work on their own rescue, digging to clear rocks and debris. They maintained a sense of normalcy by establishing routine, keeping their living space clean, and holding regular meetings. To maintain their mental health, they shared stories and talked about their families and dreams.

Finally, on October 13, 2010, after 69 harrowing days, the rescue operation began. Using a specially designed capsule named “Fénix,” each miner was hoisted to the surface in a painstaking process that took nearly 24 hours. As the world watched, each emergence was a moment of triumph and emotional relief.

The rescue of the 33 Chilean miners is a story of human tenacity, the power of hope, and the unyielding bond of comradeship. It underscores the extraordinary capabilities of individuals and communities to come together in the face of adversity. Their ordeal and eventual rescue not only brought them back to their loved ones but also brought together a world in witness to their incredible journey from despair to hope, from darkness to light.