Rescued Chilean miners honored by gov't

Santiago, Agency
The 33 miners who 12 days ago were rescued after being trapped underground for 70 days in a northern Chilean mine came to the La Moneda presidential palace on Monday to be honored by the government at a special ceremony.

President Sebastian Piñera presided at the event, accompanied by all his Cabinet ministers, first lady Cecilia Morel and other top officials, while the "Atacama 33" came along with their wives, children and other relatives.

Piñera, his wife and the interior, mining and health ministers - Rodrigo Hinzpeter, Laurence Golborne and Jaime Mañalich, respectively - took turns presenting to the miners, in the order that they were rescued, a number of souvenirs of the event.

Among the items presented to each man - 32 Chileans and one Bolivian - were the Bicentennial medal, a model of the Phoenix 2 rescue capsule and flags that had been set up on an altar in La Moneda palace for the full 70 days of their ordeal 700 meters (2,275 feet) underground in an uncollapsed mine gallery.

At the site of the altar, 33 candles burned continuously.

In addition, the six rescuers who descended into the San Jose mine to support the evacuation from within were presented with medals.

Upon their arrival at La Moneda, the miners and their families expressed their feelings in different ways.

"Thanks to Chile and all the people who prayed for us. We're completely grateful to all of you, to all those who fought for us. It was something that we had never imagined, but thank God we're free," said shift foreman Luiz Urzua, the leader of the group.

Pedro Gallo, the worker who devised the communications system to speak with the miners during their unexpected imprisonment, said that he felt "at home with all Chileans" and that he was "proud."

"I'd like for the Phoenix 2 capsule to make a tour of the country and for it to return to Copiapo." he said.

Former pro soccer player Franklin Lobos commented that "We always felt the support of the people, not only the Chileans, but also foreigners."

"I feel great emotion at seeing the final work that was achieved. Let the whole country acknowledge the united work. I've had a couple of chances to see the miners and last night we had a private dinner with them," said engineer Andre Sougarret, the head of the rescue operation.

"As a working team we're happy for this recognition, because we represent the country in this," said Manuel Gonzalez, a rescuer from the state copper company Codelco, the first man to descend into the mine to help prepare the miners for extraction.