CHILE: Camp Hope comes down as miners' relatives look ahead

Record ID: 345658

  • Title: CHILE: Camp Hope comes down as miners' relatives look ahead
  • Date: 14th October 2010
  • Summary: COPIAPO, CHILE (OCTOBER 13, 2010) (REUTERS) THIRTY THREE CHILEAN FLAGS ON HILLSIDE FLAGS WITH NAMES OF TRAPPED MINERS ON HILLSIDE ARID MINE VARIOUS OF SISTER OF MINER ESTEBAN ROJAS, YOLANDA ROJAS, AS SHE DISMANTLES HER TENTS
  • Embargoed: 29th October 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Chile
  • Country: Chile
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes
  • Reuters ID: LVA17GOUI9IC4714DCDUROY0YZQJ
  • Story Text: It has been a long 69 days, not just for the miners trapped almost half a mile below ground, but also for their relatives who have waited here at the San Jose mine.
    As the men are rescued one by one, winched to the surface by the Phoenix II, relatives dismantled "Camp Hope" and reflected on the experience that propelled them and their sleepy town to international fame.
    Yolanda Rojas, sister of miner Esteban Rojas who was the 18th man to be rescued on Wednesday (October 13), said the family was eager to get back to their lives together.
    "[I'm] very happy and have lots of peace that, thank God, we can reunite with my brother and go back to being the same family we always were, with the same support we've always given each other," said Rojas.
    For two months, relatives created a community here, almost a mile above their trapped loved ones. During the two-month ordeal since the August 5 accident, they have cried, hoped and finally rejoiced together.
    A cousin of miner Alex Vega - tenth to be released - said complicated times still lay ahead as the miner learns to deal with new-found fame.
    "We will try [to go back to normal life]. He [Alex Vega] will have to face the media issue, the stress that causes, the treatments, the evaluations, the legal questions, there will be countless number of things ahead for him. We, as a family, we be fully supporting him, whatever happens," said Arnoldo Plaza Vega.
    Health Minister Jaime Manalich has said that all the rescued men were in good medical condition, but they will continue to receive counseling for at least six months as they readjust to life above ground.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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