Manmohan Singh felicitates Chilean President over rescue of trapped miners
By ANIFriday, October 15, 2010
NEW DELHI - The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, has written a letter to Chilean President Sebastian Pinera Echenique and conveyed his warm felicitations on the ’splendid and successful rescue’ of the thirty three miners from the collapsed San Jose gold and copper mine in Copiapo.
“India rejoiced with the people of Chile that the miners were free, safe and reunited with their dear and loved ones,” said Dr Singh in his letter.
“India had watched with admiration the courage and fortitude displayed by the miners and their families throughout the long ordeal and the inspiring personal leadership of the President of Chile, over the last several weeks,” he added.
An estimated 700,000 tonnes of rock collapsed inside the 121-year-old mine in the historically significant mining accident on August 5.
Rescue officials led by a senior United States mine engineer had earlier estimated that it would take three to four months to complete the rescue.
However, the rescue exceeded expectations every step of the way, as it turned out to be 69 days and about eight hours. (ANI)
