Chilean miners may be freed a month early

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Evening Echo News

Chilean miners may be freed a month early
9/29/2010 - 7:36:53 AM

The families of 33 trapped miners are in high spirits today after a surge in the drilling of escape tunnels raised hopes that the men's rescue may come sooner than scheduled. Relatives smiled, hugged and yelled "Viva Chile!" as officials reported one of the rescue drills made twice the expected progress yesterday.

They promised the families that preparations for the rescue effort on the surface would be ready by October 12, and they are planning for the possibility the miners could be pulled up nearly a month ahead of the official schedule. But the officials also urged caution, warning that unforeseen problems could slow the work.

A siren sounded at 5pm on Tuesday in the camp where families have held a vigil since a rock collapse blocked the mine's exit shaft on August 5. At first, no one knew what it meant, just that it was good news.

Then, rescue workers came down to report that the "Plan B" drill had reached 984 feet deep, nearly halfway to its goal, after advancing 243 feet on Tuesday, more than twice as fast as expected.

Read more: http://www.eecho.ie/news/world/chilean-miners-may-be-freed-a-month-early-475547.html

[Octafish]

1. Buenas noticias.

¡Muchisimas gracias, Judi Lynn!

Y un cocotaso a los amigos de'l pendejo Pinochet.