Chile Mine Rescue PHOTOS: Efforts In Pictures

Their day-to-day struggle for survival has captivated the world for more than two months. As each of the men trapped underground in Chile's San Jose Mine ascend to the surface one by one, they are greeted as heroes -- by ecstatic relatives, joyous friends and a transfixed global audience watching remotely.

By midday on Wednesday, nearly half of the 33 men had been successfully rescued including the oldest and youngest among the trapped. No one in recorded history has survived underground -- with no access to sunlight or fresh air -- as long as these men. By all accounts, the efforts seem to be running smoothly, and are on track to finish before sunrise Thursday.

Follow the latest updates for the Chile miners rescue via our live blog here.

View dramatic photos of the Chilean mine rescue efforts here:

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Rescued miner Jose Ojeda, left, is seen inside a Chilean Air Force helicopter.

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Rescued miner Jose Ojeda, left, is seen inside a Chilean Air Force helicopter.

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Comments

[StacySpace]

12:43 AM on 10/16/2010

What a story! The world came together on this day. Rescuer Manuel Gonzalez put his life on the line for his country, the miners and the world. His descent into the mine testing the Fenix' capability to pull men to the surface was inspiring. He's Captain Sulley, the astronauts of Apollo 13, Sally Ride and Christa MacAuliffe. Brave people who put their lives on the line for the common good, for science, for life. Viva Chile!! Viva Manuel!

[avg american]

04:34 PM on 10/15/2010

Congratulations to the miners, the rescue crews, and their families and significant others. The whole experience must have been extremely difficult to endure... Thanks for setting the example.

[life-of-riley]

09:02 AM on 10/15/2010

I stopped following this over-hyped story when I heard an on-sight reporter flapping her gob in banality: apparently, the miners were at risk of decompression sickness as they rose to the surface? Ummmm, no!

[Zibop]

05:28 PM on 10/14/2010

We're all breathing a collective sign of relief and does it feel good!

I'm so very happy for the miners and their families and for Chile.

[Milrepa]

11:50 AM on 10/14/2010

I was surprised they weren't skinnier after all that.

[gwinegarden]

11:34 AM on 10/14/2010

Sometimes, we get a truly great story, here. Congratulations to all who were involved in this.

[parlimentMike]

11:24 AM on 10/14/2010

Congratulations to Chile, for doing everything possible to make the situation better for the trapped men. They kept the focus on what was most important, and achieved the outcome they deserved.

Hooray for the rescue team, and best wishes to the rescued folks, may their recovery be complete and joyous.

[FR]

09:16 AM on 10/14/2010

Such a great, thrilling story.
Hard to keep a straight face watching those kids (eight-year old or grown up) and other relatives waiting for their fathers/miners to emerge in the capsule. Here's to a bright future for all those families.

Kudos to Chile and all the other countries who helped in the effort.

[BETGR627]

08:57 AM on 10/14/2010

I am thrilled for the miners and their loved ones. I am also deeply respectful of how the Chilean government worked to solve a problem. I didn't see the bickering and backstabbing I would find here in the States. What an excellent example President Pinera set by being at the site all day to greet the miners. It touches my heart that there is still humanity (and humility) in the world!

Best wishes to the miners and their families as they begin the readjustment period!

[furby4]

11:27 AM on 10/14/2010

And thanks go to the American drilling expert who was redeployed from Afghanistan to Chile to make this rescue possible, lest we forget.

[valeskas]

07:55 AM on 10/14/2010

The World was happy yesterday, because of the rescue, I was smiling all day. Wonderful and glorious day. The best to the miners and their families.

[bernusdellus]

01:32 AM on 10/14/2010

Politicians around the world should pay attention to this. THIS is why the people elect you. To organise and manage national resources to improve and sometimes save the lives of those whose toil fills your pockets.

The Chilean government doesn't waste time parking battle fleets around the world, it does something far more wonderful and admirable. It cares for and genuinely helps its citizens.

If I was a miner stuck underground in the U.S., I know what I'd be kissing goodbye.

Look at the faces of the miners and their relations... Its wonderful. If these guys aren't careful, I might end up actually admiring a bunch of politicians.

[docbungle]

01:14 AM on 10/14/2010

Really awesome that all these folks are safe. About time something like this ends with a happy ending.

[Lisbeth35]

12:42 AM on 10/14/2010

All our best to the miners, the rescuers and families. My hope is that this will bring change in the mining industry to increase safety for workers so we will never have to witness something like this again.

[sak]

12:38 AM on 10/14/2010

Why on earth would the person who wrote this headline say "mistresses and wives clashed?" What happened in that mine and the amazing rescue was a fabulous story. Do we have to bring yellow sheet journalism to everything. Shame on you.

[Yank in France]

01:13 AM on 10/14/2010

Well said, Sak. That comment was pure trash and made at precisely the wrong moment!

[docbungle]

01:15 AM on 10/14/2010

Seconded. I guess there's no changing the fact that this site is now mostly sensationalist nonsense. But occasionally, there's some good stuff, too.

[jdrourke]

11:19 PM on 10/13/2010

Real heroes doing real work. Thanks to all who helped save these men!

But where was MSNBC...?

http://jdrourke.wordpress.com/2010/10/14/memo-to-msnbc-producers/