The last of the Chilean miners was pulled to safety in the rescue capsule late Wednesday evening amid much joy and celebration. The media was given full access to the rescue operation which lasted less than a day. The pictures of miners emerging of what seemed akin to resurrection from purgatory were watched by millions of viewers all over the world. Florencio Avalos, who was the first one to come out, cried and hugged his rescuers while the crowd went wild with joy. Luis Urza, the last one out, is being heralded Chile’s underground leader. He was the shift supervisor when the mine collapsed. He continued showing his leadership qualities throughout the crisis by keeping the men united and boosting their flagging morale. He rationed the food which lasted them for 17 days till the rescuers initially reached them. He set up shifts and created a map of the miners' topography to help rescuers. Probably the greatest act of leadership was waiting till everyone was safely out of the mine before coming out himself. Other miners like Mario Gomez became their spiritual advisor and Yonny Barrios, their medical chief. The world remains amazed at the solidarity and composure the miners have displayed till the very last moment.
The Chileans stand united in this moment of pride. Arturo Fermandois, Chile's ambassador to the U.S. said that his nation was proud of the technical and professional knowledge exhibited during the rescue operation. He showed pride in the way the miners had conducted themselves in the humid and claustrophobic conditions till the rescuers reached them. He felt that the attitude of the miners represented the country more than anybody else.
"Before being heroes, they are victims," University of Santiago psychologist Sergio Gonzalez commented and this sums up the concerns the Chilean government has about the rescued miners, as they cope with the attention and cash deals pouring in.
