how amazing was the rescue of the 33 miners?

[Mrs H]

I just had to say how amazing I thought the rescue of these men was. As a general rule I rarely watch the news however when I heard the rescue had begun I found myself glued to it counting the miners out, I even checked online overnight when I was up with the girls!!!
How fantastic must those famillies feel? And how heroic were those rescuers? Amazing and so glad they r all out alive. X

[MKG]

You're dead right, Mrs H. It was as amazing as all Hell - I sat up till 5 am the first night it was happening. It's great that all 33 got out.

Of course, smiling Presidents and Mining Ministers aside, we now have to see if they'll keep their word and make sure that other Chilean miners don't end up in the same situation because of ridiculously lax safety regulations. For once, I'm optimistic. I'm surprising myself by believing politicians. I hope they don't disappoint me.

Mike

[Millymollymandy]

Yes I also watched a fair bit to the point of my husband asking me why the sudden interest in the news and putting the TV on first thing in the morning (which NEVER happens in our house outside of a major monumental event!). I don't think he felt the same as me but then he's not scared of heights or being stuck in a dark hole so I think it had more impact on me than him! So happy it all went well.

[MuddyWitch]

Lump-in-throat club member here too, (although I already am a confirmed 'newsaholic').

SO good to have so much news time dedicated to a GOOD news story.

MW

[fran]

I must admit that I had a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat as I sat and watched them arrive at the surface and greet their families. Nice to know that sometimes there are happy endings

[KathyLauren]

I didn't watch the rescue live (no TV), but I did follow it on the CNN website any chance I could. It was pretty amazing. I don't even begrudge the fact that that they hired a media consultant to manage the news event. It was an inspiring story, and all the better if we could watch it live.

69 days was probably the longest work shift in mining history. I wonder how much overtime pay they will get.

[old tree man]

It brought a tear to my eye, bless them all and it great news for the world in this day and age of misery and depression, fantastic news...

[Ellendra]

I was watching it live online, and narrating through chat for a friend who couldn't watch it. We were both crying.

[grahamhobbs]

It was amazing, their will and spirit, there is no getting away from it, but luck was with them. The collapse occured at their meal break, so they were all together, not isolated throughout the mine. In the 'canteen' there was a small store of food. Although trapped they had access to a considerable length of tunnels, including access to a waterfall of water. But also the technical feat of drilling down 1/2mile, including a bend to avoid unsuitable soil, with such accuracy to reach them was incredible.

[spider8]

It was amazing and what strength of mind they had as I'd have gone mad! Great to hear and see good news for a change - good luck to them all.

[Ellendra]

Some of the stories of their experiences while still trapped are coming out. The "Miners vs. the Psychiatrists" is a fascinating one. It seems the therapists and psychologists were putting the miners through sheer torture "for their own good", confiscating letters that were being sent to the miners from their families, cutting off their TV if they didn't sound broken enough or if they refused to talk to the psychologists. That sort of thing.

Sickening I thought.