Supplies reach Chilean miners; now, the long wait

[babylonsister]

Supplies reach Chilean miners; now, the long wait
AP
By MAURICIO CUEVAS, Associated Press Writer – 48 mins ago


COPIAPO, Chile – Trapped nearly half a mile inside the earth and facing perhaps four months before rescue, 33 Chilean miners began getting food, water and oxygen from above ground Monday as rescue teams worked to gauge their state of mind and brace them for the long wait ahead.

Through a newly installed communications system, each of the men spoke and reported feeling hungry but well, except for one with a stomach problem, a Chilean official said. They requested toothbrushes.

It was a positive sign, and Chile's president said the nation was "crying with excitement and joy" after engineers broke through Sunday to the men's refuge. It had been 17 days since a landslide at the gold and copper mine caused a tunnel to collapse and entombed them more than 2,200 feet below ground.

Still, doctors and psychological experts were trying to safeguard the very sanity of the miners in the months to come, and said they were implementing a plan that included keeping them informed and busy. The miners reported that a shift foreman named Luis Urzua had assumed leadership of the trapped men.

"They need to understand what we know up here at the surface, that it will take many weeks for them to reach the light," Health Minister Jaime Manalich explained.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100824/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_chile_mine_collapse

[malaise]

1. Should be an amazing four months

waiting for their release. I can't imagine the wait but it's better than dying.

[babylonsister]

2. Me, too, malaise. I can't imagine, but if they have food and water,

hopefully they will surface. At least they have each other, too. An interminable wait; I hope someone gives them some music!

[jwirr]

3. I would assume that having each other will help them through this

also. I am thankful they are alive and apparently well.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. What a miracle that they are alive!

I'm so glad that they're getting food water and oxygen to these trapped men.

Now, get them out!

Recommended.

[uppityperson]

5. k&r. I can't believe they could be there 4 months. Talk about one of my worst nightmares.

[leftstreet]

6. K&R

I still can't imagine facing four months (!) under these conditions