Peruvian miners recover in hospital
- 12 years ago
Nine miners were trapped deep in this wildcat mine in southern Peru for nearly a week.
But they were rescued on Wednesday, and are now recovering in a local hospital.
Some of them are wearing sunglasses to protect their eyes after so much time spent in darkness - even as their families run to embrace them.
It's an emotional moment for everyone.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SANTIAGO TAPIA, RESCUED MINER, SAYING:
"This is a new life that God is giving me and here I am with my wife and daughter and now I'm going to spend all my time with my family."
Filled with relief, one miner's wife says the last few days have been incredibly difficult.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) EMILY DONAYRE, WIFE OF RESCUED MINER SANTIAGO TAPIA, SAYING:
"I felt immense anguish as we imagined that perhaps another tragedy could occur because they said there were more collapses."
Another miner says thoughts of his family gave him strength throughout the ordeal.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ELOY CARLOS HUAMANI, RESCUED MINER, SAYING:
"What I wanted most was to see my wife and my children. I wanted to see them and hug them to tell them that I love them so much."
The men had been stuck about 650 feet below ground since the 5th of April, when the informal copper and gold mine partially collapsed.
They had been receiving oxygen and liquids through a giant hose that was in place before the accident.
Travis Brecher, Reuters
But they were rescued on Wednesday, and are now recovering in a local hospital.
Some of them are wearing sunglasses to protect their eyes after so much time spent in darkness - even as their families run to embrace them.
It's an emotional moment for everyone.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SANTIAGO TAPIA, RESCUED MINER, SAYING:
"This is a new life that God is giving me and here I am with my wife and daughter and now I'm going to spend all my time with my family."
Filled with relief, one miner's wife says the last few days have been incredibly difficult.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) EMILY DONAYRE, WIFE OF RESCUED MINER SANTIAGO TAPIA, SAYING:
"I felt immense anguish as we imagined that perhaps another tragedy could occur because they said there were more collapses."
Another miner says thoughts of his family gave him strength throughout the ordeal.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ELOY CARLOS HUAMANI, RESCUED MINER, SAYING:
"What I wanted most was to see my wife and my children. I wanted to see them and hug them to tell them that I love them so much."
The men had been stuck about 650 feet below ground since the 5th of April, when the informal copper and gold mine partially collapsed.
They had been receiving oxygen and liquids through a giant hose that was in place before the accident.
Travis Brecher, Reuters