The news of the rescue of the 33 miners trapped in the San Jose Mine, Chile, has brought immense joy and relief to the whole world. The rescue process involved meticulous planning — drilling through hard rock, using space technology, examining the medical parameters and the psychology of the miners isolated for long under extreme conditions, and so on. Chile's success story should serve as a lesson in crisis management.
P. Balakrishnan,
Mangalore
The spirit of the miners was evident when they sent fellow workers to rescue with cheers. The best of humanity and brotherhood was there for all to see. Kudos to the Chile government and the rescue team for rescuing all 33 miners. Cheers guys, for your spirit and brotherhood!
C. Venkatesh,
Coimbatore
Chile caught the whole world's attention when it rescued all 33 miners trapped under a half-mile of rock for over 60 days. That the trapped miners were able to bond together in a hostile surrounding with the single aim of survival is indeed fascinating.
The rescue team deserves all praise and commendation for its extraordinary courage and fortitude.
T.K. Subramanian,
Chennai
The editorial “Magnificent and moving” (Oct. 14) on the rescue of the miners in Chile was superb. I was overwhelmed by the use of the phrase “secular miracle.” No other term could have brought out the wonder wrought by those involved in the task of saving the miners.
I.S. Kanthimathinathan,
Tirunelveli
The rescue of the miners from the jaws of death is an extraordinary accomplishment. The cooperation among nations in ensuring that the rescue mission succeeded should remain a permanent feature. Our leaders have to learn a lot from the Chilean President. The media were at their best. Let us salute the entire rescue team and the people of Chile.
R. Parthasarathy,
Secunderabad
The mission meticulously planned, executed and accomplished in Chile's San Jose mine is a classic case of human endeavour and crisis management, thanks to the multiple international agencies that rendered help, and the Chilean government's resolve to succeed. The incident has thrown light on human perseverance in meeting catastrophic situations.
Chandran Dharmalingam,
The Nilgiris
The concerted effort of the Chilean government involving geologists, scientists from NASA and psychologists, among others, in the colossal rescue effort surely deserves to be applauded. The fighting spirit of the 33 miners has pushed the limits of human endurance to a new level.
Devulapalli Chakravarty,
Visakhapatnam
While reading how the miners were rescued one by one in an orderly manner, I recalled the scramble for a few lifeboats on the Titanic . The miners waited for their turn to board the rescue capsule and cheered the ones who went before them. The ordeal must have taught them the values of patience, co-operation, hope and faith in God.
M.V.S. Murthy,
Hyderabad
The Chilean government's tremendous effort was fruitful — first in locating the miners and then in coordinating the rescue effort. The television and Internet audiences across the globe remained glued to the screens, witnessing a human drama that surpassed anything the world has seen in the recent past. What could have been a tragic story became a moment of pride for Chile.
J. Akshay,
Secunderabad
No word of praise will suffice for the trapped miners who showed tremendous courage and determination in their 69-day ordeal. The rescue team which engineered the whole operation undauntedly and painstakingly also deserves full honours.
K. Sivankutty Nair,
Thiruvananthapuram
The rescue was indeed a miracle for the world and those who were trapped in the mine. The rescue team should be awarded handsomely. The story should be included in school textbooks.
Shahid Jamal,
New Delhi
Seeing the outside world after two months must have been amazing for the miners. But the feeling that they mattered and were supported by the whole world must be something special. The critical attention and commitment of the Chile government towards the rescue operation are commendable. We salute the miners for their patience and determination and the whole rescue team for its successful mission.
Himansu Sekhar Nahak,
Koraput
The Herculean rescue effort took place on the other side of the planet, with most of us unaware that the San Jose mine existed in Chile till a couple of months ago. I must have been one of the millions worldwide who sat mesmerised before the television screen, watching the miners emerging from their ordeal. My eyes welled up when the first miner came up the escape capsule.
Sushil Adlakha,
Chennai
The rescue was a well coordinated and brilliant achievement. One aspect of the rescue plan stands out — the value attached to human life. Congratulations are due to The Hindu too on recognising one of the rare major human success stories and devoting the front page, an inside page, and an editorial on the rescue.
I.P.P. Prabhakara Rao,
Secunderabad
The positive attitude of the rescue team and those who survived 700 metres below the earth's surface played a vital role in all the miners coming out alive. This is a classic example of how impossible becomes possible with continued efforts taken in the right direction.
J. Eden Alexander,
Thanjavur
Had India faced a similar predicament, the Opposition would have demanded the Prime Minister's resignation, a judicial enquiry, compensation and so on, without allowing the government to focus on the rescue operation. The united effort of the Chilean rescue team paid off. Thankfully for the miners who survived for 69 days, there was light at the end of the tunnel.
N. Nagarajan,
Secunderabad
It may interest readers to know that a similar rescue operation was carried out in India 21 years ago at Mahaveer Colliery in West Bengal after it was inundated. Seventy-three miners were rescued after three days. An initial attempt to rescue them through the regular outlet shaft was thwarted due to the rushing waters and infiltration of black damp. A vertical hole was drilled at the bottom on the right side of the workings, improvising a four-inch drill. Communication was established and water and food supplies were lowered. The hole was reamed to a diameter of 22 inches, lined with aluminum casing pipes to lower an 18-inch capsule through which all the miners were rescued. The depth was only 110 ft but the strata was soft and liable to collapse.
R. Sudhakar,
Vizianagaram
