BBC News - Chile mine rescue

No need to reload page, content updates automatically.

1. 0305: The couple and their daughter Emily have been promised some land in the central Bolivian city of Cochabamba by President Evo Morales, to help them start a new life.
2. 0303: Carlos Mamani's wife, Veronica Quispe, looks quite anxious as she waits for him by the top of the shaft.
3. 0256: It's going to be difficult to keep the men in hospital, says the BBC's Tim Willcox. The first three have emerged from the mine looking fighting fit and are ready for freedom.
4. 0252: Carlos Mamani - the man who has said that he will never, ever work in a mine again because of the accident - has been strapped into his bio suit and is starting his ascent.
5. 0252: BBC Mundo's Valeria Perasso has tweeted: "Mamani's parents-in-law are standing by the exit of the tunnel holding the Bolivian tricolour flag." Read Valeria Perasso's tweets
6. 0244: The capsule has reached the bottom of the shaft again and the next miner is preparing to make the journey out.
7. 0230: Mirko H Soto from La Paz, Bolivia tweets: "No sleep for us tonight. We are waiting for Mamani!" Read Mirko H Soto's tweets
8. 0228: The capsule is now being lowered to rescue 23-year-old Carlos Mamani, a Bolivian national and the only foreigner in the group.
9. 0211: The BBC's Matthew Rhodes is in Copiapo, the nearest town to the mine. The celebrations are in full swing there, and there can hardly be a car horn not sounding out in this proud mining town.
10. 0209: As Juan Illanes emerges, he is asked how his trip was. His reply? "Like a cruise!" Smiles all round.
11. 0208: And Juan Illanes is with us. Three up, 30 to go - or 33 if you include the three rescuers now underground with the miners.
12. 0207: Juan Illanes reaches the surface, the third miner to emerge from the depths.
13. 0203: Global reaction to this story continues to come in. Tetsuro Umeji in Kudamatsu City, Japan, writes: "I'm a high school English teacher in Japan. It was supposed to be a day off for me, and I was planning to catch up on my reading. But now my eyes are glued to the computer screen as the rescue is broadcast live. Absolutely amazing! Congratulations, Chile! I will keep my fingers crossed until the last of the 33 miners is brought to the surface!" Have Your Say
14. 0158: The wife of Juan Illanes is now waiting near to the head of the rescue shaft. She's chatting and joking with President Pinera. He seems very at ease in this situation.
15. 0153: Mr Illanes served as a corporal during Chile's border conflict with Argentina, which ended in 1984.
16. 0152: Juan Illanes, now 51, is an old soldier. He was in the Chilean army before he became a miner.
17. 0150: Juan Illanes becomes third miner to make ascent in Phoenix rescue capsule.
18. 0149: Locked and loaded with the third miner, Juan Illanes.
19. 0143: Mario Sepulveda's brother Claudio says he saw him "complete, happy, appearing as if he almost didn't want to go to the hospital", Valeria Perasso adds.
20. 0142: And it's back - the Phoenix returns to the floor of the mine, delivering Patricio Roblero into the gloom.
21. 0141: The arrival of Mario Sepulveda at the surface of the mine in perfect physical and emotional condition was overwhelming, says BBC Mundo's Valeria Perasso. He demonstrated an amazing sense of humour before running towards a group of rescuers and leading the group in the national chant.\r\r
22. 0134: Sgt Rios and Corporal Roblero have the authority to rearrange the rescue list based on medical need. The idea is to bring out some of the fittest miners first, then those with medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. The last to go should be both physically fit and strong of character.
23. 0129: People around the world are tweeting in reaction to Mario Sepulveda's energetic exit. Paula Torres in Ecuador tweets: "I love how joyful Mario Sepulveda is. How could he not be, he now has a second chance at life!" T Kindred in Texas, USA, tweets: "Mario Sepulveda just made my night It seems his spirit was never broken and the fact that he passed out rocks as gift is funny."
24. 0127: Heading down: Patricio Roblero, a corporal in the Chilean navy, who has solid experience of survival in hostile environments and escapes from confined spaces.
25. 0123: More reaction from those who are neither Chilean, nor miners, yet find themselves hooked on the drama. Gemma in Newcastle, UK, writes: "I shed a tear at the first miner appearing. The strength of the human spirit is beautiful and awe inspiring." Have Your Say
26. 0121: The capsule looks good but the paint is scraped in places. There seems to be some concern about the door - it may have hit something on the first, unmanned test.
27. 0118: Things are moving on now. Immediately another rescuer is readied for the descent. Patricio Robledo was the man scheduled to go down last time around, only for Robert Rios, the medic, to take his place.
28. 0117: Mario Sepulveda works the crowd, raising cheers, punching the air like he has not spent nearly 70 days under rock. Despite all that energy, he is strapped to a stretcher and wheeled away for assessment - but there's a grin beneath those protective shades.
29. 0115: The miners' story is reaching all corners of the world. Kelvin Kamang in Kalulushi, Zambia, writes: "I am a miner at a small copper mine called Chibuluma Mine. We felt so bad when we heard that our brothers where trapped in Chile. The good news about their likely escape has brought much joy and happiness to every miner here." Have Your Say
30. 0113: You can read the story of this night on the face of Mario Sepulveda's wife, Elvira. She is laughing with joy. Her man is back, smiling, embracing her, handing out pieces of rock as souvenirs to the crowd!
31. 0111: Mario Sepulveda is a bundle of energy. Animated and shouting, he embraces the president and shouts with joy.
32. 0109: Mario Sepulveda reaches the surface and becomes the second miner to escape from the San Jose mine.
33. 0108: Yelling to his wife Elvira from inside the shaft, Mario Sepulveda approaches the surface.
34. 0107: Jose Brian Vasquez Gonzalez in Chile says: "I am Chilean and the son of a miner, this is very emotional for me. The Chilean miners are great men. Hang in there! Have Your Say
35. 0458: Remember it is more than 30C down below and close to freezing above. Hence the donning of the sweater.
36. 0057: Mario Sepulveda is on his way, wearing a sweater and an oxygen mask.
37. 0055: Mario Sepulveda becomes the second miner hoisted from the bottom of the San Jose shaft.
38. 0053: Down in the depths, Mario Sepulveda is helped into the capsule. On the audio feed, the voices of the controllers at the surface sound relaxed and at ease.
39. 0050: Mr Sepulveda was the undisputed star of the videos sent up by the miners. Known by many as "the presenter", he interviewed the other miners and gave guided TV tours of their refuge. Quick-witted and charismatic, he is already in demand among Chile's TV chat shows.
40. 0046: Asked what her family were feeling, Mario Sepulveda's aunt Ana Espinace said "anguish". They were longing, she said, to hug and kiss him, and tell him how much they loved him.
41. 0045: Sgt Rios arrives in the mine, and Mario Sepulveda is due to take his place in the capsule. The sergeant's role is thought to be that of a paramedic, assessing the needs of the remaining miners to work out the final order in which they should ascend.
42. 0044: Capsule arrives at the foot of the rescue shaft for a second time.
43. 0039: Sebastian Pinera is a relative newcomer to Chile's highest office. Elected in January, he took office in March in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in Concepcion. But his approach to the miners' plight has won him warm approval around the country. He stands there tonight a very popular politician indeed.
44. 0034: The president's words are echoed by other Chileans. Patricia Araya tweets from the city of Concepcion: "Sirens are sounding here in Concepcion, like in many other cities in Chile… saying we're great!" Read Patricia Araya's tweets
45. 0033: President Sebastian Pinera: "This has fulfilled the Chilean dream."
46. 0030: President Pinera again. He's speaking to the nation - to the world, even - hailing the success of the operation. He has a huge, broad smile on his face. He promises that "each and every one" of "Los 33" will be freed soon.
47. 0027: A relative of Florencia Avalos tells the BBC's Tim Willcox of the "indescribable" moment when the miner emerged.
48. 0025: Robert Rios Seguel, a sergeant in the Chilean navy's special forces, is a first aider with 10 years' experience as well as a tactical diver. Has long experience of survival in hostile environments and escapes from confined areas.
49. 0020: Even as the celebrations begin, it's time to press on. There are 32 more miners to rescue. Another rescue worker, in navy uniform, Robert Rios Seguel, is buckling up his harness near the shaft.
50. 0016: A smiling Florencio Avalos looks fit and strong as he is led away for his check-up.
51. 0016: The little daughter of Florencio Avalos bursts into tears as claps and cheers go up around the miner, free at last.
52. 0015: BBC Mundo's Valeria Perasso has tweeted: "They say Florencio Avalos didn't get along with his family and that he had never spent such a long time with his brother Renan as he did on this 69 days. From the confinement of the mine, he wrote a letter saying that the most important thing for him is family." Read Valeria Perasso's tweets
53. 0013: Florencio Avalos hugs and kisses his family as celebrations erupt at the top of the rescue shaft. At this hugely emotional moment, the miner himself seems composed and calm. A huge boost for everyone.
54. 0011: After 69 days, Florencio Avalos becomes the first miner to emerge from the San Jose mine.
55. 0010: In centre of Copiapo, the BBC's Matthew Rhodes says everyone is glued to a big screen waiting for first miner to come out. There is very little noise from the crowd - everyone is just waiting to see the first face.
56. 0008: Sirens go off at the mine head, telling medics to be ready for the capsule's arrival.
57. 0007: Another emotional tweet from President Sebastian Pinera: "The excitement! The joy! The proudness to be Chilean! And the gratefulness to God!" Read Sebastian Pinera's tweets
58. 0006: Florencio Avalos brought the plight of himself and his comrades to the attention of the world through his videos from the depths. He was rarely glimpsed himself as he was doing the filming. Now the whole world will see him.
59. 0001: From BBC Mundo's Valeria Perasso: Avalos' mother is very tense. She's biting her nails and is shaking a bit. Understandable!
60. 2359: The tent belonging to the family of Florencio Avalos is mobbed by reporters from all over the world waiting to capture the moment when he makes it safely to the top, says BBC Mundo's Rodrigo Bustamante.
61. 2358: The winch turns, and the capsule disappears back up the shaft.
62. 2355: Andre Sougarret, the head of the rescue operation, has just tweeted: "Florencio Avalos on his way" Read Andre Sougarret's tweets
63. 2355: Florencio Avalos becomes the first miner to begin his journey out of the San Jose mine.
64. 2352: Chilean TV reports are confirming that this is, in fact, the beginning of the rescue. "Rescue of Florencio Avalos", the caption reads.
65. 2351: Scenes of confusion as media crews rush after Alfonso Avalos, father of Florencio and Renan, near the rescue site. Florencio is the first miner due out, of course.
66. 2350: Meanwhile, 700m above the miners, President Pinera has shaken hands with his Mining Minister, Laurence Golborne.
67. 2348: Mining Minister Laurence Golborne has just tweeted: "First contact with the rescue worker. Bravo! They hug. Smiles. They clap. Great men! Manuel Gonzalez organises and explains the rescue. Florencio on his way" Read Laurence Golborne's tweets
68. 2345: Relatives at Camp Hope react to the capsule's arrival - cheering and whooping and shouting "Viva Chile", reports the BBC's Vanessa Bushschluter.
69. 2343: The elation down in the mine is palpable but the weary-looking, bare-chested miners remain orderly, clearly maintaining the discipline that has served them well for nearly 10 weeks.
70. 2339: Miners crowd around the first rescuer to hear him explain what he saw in the shaft.
71. 2338: Video shows the capsule emerging from the bottom of the shaft and a miner opening it to welcome Mr Gonzales, hugging him.
72. 2336: Phoenix capsule arrives at cavern at bottom of shaft.
73. 2331: The shaft is lined with metal tubes for about 54m (177ft) to avoid the risk of rocks crumbling at the top of the escape route.
74. 2329: As Manuel Gonzalez heads towards the miners, the president and the workers at the shaft head sing the national anthem of Chile.
75. 2323: Maximiliano Wener in Santiago, Chile, tweets: "Wishing the best to Manuel Gonzalez, the first rescue worker. Our hope begins with him" Read Maximiliano Werner's tweets
76. 2322: The Phoenix will travel at about 1m (3ft) a second, but can be speeded up to 3m a second if necessary.
77. 2321: Looking down into the shaft, after the disappearing capsule, President Pinera makes the sign of the cross.
78. 2320: Flag-waving and cheers around Camp Hope as people watch the unfolding events on a big screen.
79. 0318: Manuel Gonzalez Pavez, the first rescue worker, heads down the rescue shaft in the Phoenix capsule.
80. 2317: Manuel Gonzalez is strapped in and ready to go. He's looking nervous.
81. 0314: Piers Scholfield of the BBC World Service is also at the mine keeping a close eye on what the local media are saying. He has just tweeted: "Rescue has started officially - cheers ringing round the camp" Read Piers Scholfield's tweets
82. 0313: Manuel Gonzalez steps back out to allow final checks to the kit in the capsule, then re-enters the tight-fitting metal tube.
83. 2310: Manuel Gonzalez gets pats on the back, best wishes from the president, then enters the capsule.
84. 2305: Confirmation that things are moving on. Andre Sougarret, the head of the rescue operation, has just tweeted: "We will now send the rescue worker" Read Andre Sougarret's tweets
85. 2302: A rescue worker - presumably Manuel Gonzalez - is spotted near the shaft wearing a harness, to begin the first manned descent. He can be seen speaking to President Pinera.
86. 2300: For a different take on the unfolding drama in Chile, tune in to the BBC World Service. You can listen via the BBC World Service website.
87. 2255: Each ride up the shaft will take between 12 and 20 minutes. Once the rescue gets going, miners are set to emerge at a rate of one an hour.
88. 2246: Over his time in mining, Mr Gonzalez has become an expert in vertical ascents and has taken part in a number of mine emergencies, according to reports.
89. 2245: Mr Gonzalez will descend first in search of the miners and will give reports on the progress of the operation, Valeria Perasso reports.
90. 2243: We have news of the first rescuer: Manuel Gonzalez, a man with 20 years of mining experience, 12 in mine rescues.
91. 2237: As we wait for the rescue, you can find out how engineers have worked to bring the trapped miners to the surface by looking at our special 3D animated model.
92. 2230: Chilean President Sebastian Pinera has tweeted: "After 68 days of worry and hope, the moment of truth has come. Let God be with the miners and the rescue workers." Read Sebastian Pinera's tweets
93. 2229: The BBC's Tim Willcox goes in search of the family of Florencio Avalos, the first man out. The family are surrounded by massed ranks of media, sitting quietly and looking uncomfortable, he reports.
94. 2224: Banks of media whistled and jeered when a huge Chilean flag was wheeled in front of the rescue site, blocking the view, says the BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani. Ten minutes later it was removed.
95. 2215: Testing is continuing. The Phoenix has returned to the surface and gone down again - still with no-one inside.
96. 2210: And the father of Florencio and Renan Avalos? "As a father, I'd tell them not to ever work again in the mine, but it will be up to them to decide," he told BBC Mundo's Valeria Perasso.
97. 2207: Relatives of Carlos Mamani, the Bolivian due to emerge fourth, have been speaking to the BBC's Matt Frei and Tim Willcox. They said Mr Mamani's wife had spoken to him and he was feeling better in recent days, knowing rescue was near.
98. 2205: Incredibly, Florencio's younger brother Renan is also trapped with him in the mine. By contrast, he is 25th on the list. It is said that each of the miners volunteered to go last.
99. 2202: An uncle of Florencio Avalos, Alberto, believes he was chosen to come up first because of his good "physical condition and his serenity".
100. 2159: With the capsule testing going, perhaps it's time to think again about the men being rescued tonight.
101. 2155: Andre Sougarret, the head of the rescue operation, has been tweeting from the mine for weeks now. His latest message was sent just before the capsule descended: "We will start the tests in a few minutes!" Read Andre Sougarret's tweets
102. 2151: Sebastian Salinas from Santiago, Chile, tweets: "The miners quarrelled about who would be the last one to get out. This is a group of very brave and supportive heroes" Read Sebastian Salinas' tweets
103. 2146: The atmosphere all around the mine is coming alive. Staff close to the capsule have been chanting in support: "Go miners, tonight's the night we are going to rescue you".
104. 2143: Packages passed along the bore hole were nicknamed "palomas", or doves. Their contents ranged from sandwiches to cameras, dirty laundry to Bibles.
105. 2139: The man-sized escape shaft is just the latest lifeline for the miners. For most of their time underground a bore hole no wider than a grapefruit has served as a lifeline. It was used to pass messages, food and water.
106. 2137: Some more details about the capsule: it contains a small video camera which will be focussed on each miner's face so rescuers can watch for panic, and also two-way voice communications.
107. 2135: The capsule is reportedly only heading down to 65 metres at first as it tests the way it moves in the escape shaft.
108. 2133: First rescue capsule heads down into escape shaft.
109. 2130: The BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani is watching the capsule being made ready. Remember, it needs to make some runs on its own first before taking any passengers at all.
110. 2127: Another milestone on the way - the Phoenix capsule is being lowered into the rescue shaft.
111. 2123: The mine rescue is making waves around the world. The BBC's World News America team report large numbers of people watching the build-up on huge screens outside the Chilean embassy in Washington, DC.
112. 2117: More from BBC Mundo's Valeria Perasso: a group huddles by the tent of the Avalos family, she reports - Florencio, who has shot to fame during his ordeal, is due to be the first of the 33 miners to come out.
113. 2114: Some people in Chile have been retweeting this comment from Mexican columnist Gabriela Warkentin: "The Chilean miners' rescue has become a great global reality show. We are the society of the spectacle, that's what we are." Read Gabriela Warkentin's tweets
114. 2110: The order in which the miners will emerge, as told to their families: Florencio Avalos, Mario Sepulveda, Juan Illanes, Carlos Mamani, Jimmy Sanchez, Osman Araya, Jose Ojeda, Claudio Yanez, Mario Gomez, Alex Vega, Jorge Galleguillos, Edison Pena, Carlos Barrios, Victor Zamora, Víctor Segovia, Daniel Herrera, Omar Reygadas, Esteban Rojas, Pablo Rojas, Dario Segovia, Yonni Barrios, Samuel Avalos, Carlos Bugueno, Jose Henriquez, Renan Avalos, Claudio Acuna, Franklin Lobos, Richard Villarroel, Juan Aguilar, Raul Bustos, Pedro Cortez, Ariel Ticona, Luis Urzua.
115. 2106: President Pinera is back at the rescue zone. He's standing by the side of the capsule watching the phone cable go down.
116. 2104: News is now coming from Chilean officials that they've handed the families a list outlining the order in which the miners are expected to emerge.
117. 2101: And that cable we saw being fed down the shaft - it's confirmed as a phone cable.
118. 2100: The Phoenix capsule is now standing upright - applause was heard from Camp Hope as the image was beamed to the families.
119. 2057: We can see now that a cable of some kind is being threaded down the shaft.
120. 2055: If you use Twitter, we've also created a list of news correspondents and political figures in Chile tweeting on this story. Follow BBC_HaveYourSay/chile-miners
121. 2053: The first capsule, by the way, is painted red, blue and white - the colours of Chile's flag.
122. 2050: Elsewhere, there will be sound too. President Pinera has asked for all churches in Chile to ring their bells in celebration when the first miner emerges.
123. 2049: When the rescue begins, the night and the light will be augmented by sounds. Seconds before each miner surfaces, a siren will sound and a light will flash for a full minute. This "Genesis alarm" is meant to alert medics.
124. 2045: With the dark has come the lights - the rescue site is now lit up like a football pitch.
125. 2043: Night has now fallen at the mine, Rodrigo reports, and the first camp fires have been lit to guard against the cold.
126. 2040: Rodrigo Bustamante of BBC Mundo reports that the delay in the start of the operation has dampened the mood of some of the miners' relatives at Camp Hope. \r\rBut there's consensus among the relatives that the most important thing is that all goes to plan.
127. 2036: The first rescuer is being chosen out of a 16-strong team of experienced mine rescuers and navy divers. Their job will be to organise the ascent and manage the miners. The biggest fear, it seems, is of panic attacks during the trip up.
128. 2032: That order is, of course, subject to change. The first rescuer will make medical checks on the health of the miners once he's underground.
129. 2028: An intriguing nugget from Valeria Perasso of BBC Mundo. The first rescuer to go down has not only already been chosen, but he's carrying the list of the order in which the miners will come out.
130. 2025: We have been getting some messages of support from Latin America. Jormilis Bencomo from Maracaibo,Venezuela, writes: "I have followed the news since the beginning. I wish the relatives lots of strength to receive those wonderful persons". Jessica Velasquez from El Salvador says "lots of people here are asking God to keep you safe. Chile will now be remembered because of the 33 heroes." Have Your Say
131. 2023: That hospital will eventually become the focus of the operation. Two entire floors of the place have been set aside for the miners, and they are expected to give their first TV interview - all together - from inside the hospital.
132. 2022: Medical checks will be made in three stages: a quick check-up on the spot, transfer to a field hospital, then transfer to the hospital proper in Copiapo.
133. 2021: Franco Utilli, in charge of first aid for the miners, says some of the miners have respiratory and dental problems.
134. 2013: So this is the process: officials say a capsule will first be sent down empty. Then, a rescuer will be sent down on a very slow descent into the mine. He will come up and give a full report on the progress and then be sent down again on a faster journey into the mine. After that he'll give a full report. He will come up before another rescuer goes down to carry out the first mission.
135. 2003: Officials say they will test the capsule empty before sending it down with the first rescuer.
136. 1959: Three lines of communication need to be established, Mr Golborne says. One with the miner being rescued, a second with the refuge where the miners are located and a third between the triage and the medic.
137. 1955: Mr Golborne says some decisions have been made: the first man to descend as rescuer has been chosen, but not yet informed of his task.
138. 1953: Laurence Golborne has said there are some more tests still to come. Even though the capsule is about to be raised the actual mission is two hours away.
139. 1951: Laurence Golborne, Chile's mining minister, is speaking now. His message: the operation is two hours away from starting.
140. 1950: A word about Carlos Mamani, the Bolivian miner. Chile's president has just confirmed that Bolivia's Evo Morales plans to meet his compatriot in hospital on Wednesday.
141. 1947: Coming out by day will be easier: it was a tolerable 18C on Tuesday afternoon. Temperatures in the Atacama fluctuate wildly between day and night. Those at the mine are wrapping up warm now for a long night.
142. 1946: It is said to be 32C below ground. Any miner surfacing during the night will feel a shock to his system, with the desert temperature near freezing.
143. 1943: The first 54m of the capsule's journey is lined with metal. After that, though, the shaft - more than 600m deep - is hewn straight from granite.
144. 1940: The beginning seems imminent - Phoenix 2 is being readied by the shaft.
145. 1938: There's been a change in the order of the men to be rescued: President Pinera has said on camera that Florencio Avalos will be first out, followed by Mario Sepulveda, second. But Juan Illanes will now be third and the Bolivian miner Carlos Mamani will come out fourth.
146. 1938: From Washington: President Barack Obama says "thoughts and prayers" are with the "brave miners".
147. 1936: The hardship of those 17 days is difficult to imagine. During that time they survived by stretching out rations meant to last just 48 hours.
148. 1935: Fifty-four-year-old Luis Urzua is scheduled to come up last. He's has been credited with showing the leadership that enabled the miners to survive the first 17 days - when they were entirely cut off from the outside world.
149. 1933: On their way out, each miner will spend between 12 and 15 minutes in the Phoenix capsule. He will wear an oxygen mask and dark glasses to avoid eye damage after emerging from the darkness. By the way, the hospital at Copiapo is dimming its lights in anticipation. The rescued miners will be spending a couple of days there under observation.
150. 1930: The BBC's Piers Scholfield tweets: "Sun about to disappear behind mountain at Camp Hope - readying for a long cold night." Read Piers Scholfield's tweets
151. 1929: Every one of the 33 miners has a human story to tell, a history and a family waiting for him on the surface. Have a look at our special guide with details of all the 33 men who've been trapped underground.
152. 1922: From the BBC's Andrew Harding at the mine: One hint of the strains and complications that await some of the miners on the surface - Helen Avalos, 17, and her four-month-old baby have not managed to get to the mine tonight. Helen is the partner of Jimmy Sanchez, 19, the youngest of the trapped men. There appears to be some friction between their respective families over who will get to welcome Jimmy at the top of the rescue tunnel - only three people are allowed. Helen says she will have to watch events on TV, and hopefully see Jimmy once he's been taken to the hospital in Copiapo, with their daughter, Barbara.
153. 1919: The relatives of the miners have been asked to come to the canteen at the tented village at the mine, Camp Hope, where they will gather to watch the rescue mission, reports Rodrigo Bustamante of BBC Mundo, the BBC's Spanish-language service. BBCMundo.com
154. 1917: Although the order the miners will come out in uncertain, we do know that the second miner due up is electrical specialist Mario Sepulveda, 39. He is one of the best-known of the 33, frequently acting as their spokesman on videos. The AFP news agency quotes his wife, Elvira Valdivia, as saying he is a natural leader. He was a union representative at another mine belonging to the same company.
155. 1915: The capsule has been removed from its wooden box for an inspection. It's essentially a bullet-shaped cage equipped with oxygen canisters. It's called the Phoenix after the mythical bird reborn from its ashes.
156. 1912: The Phoenix rescue capsules - designed specially by the Chilean Navy - have arrived at the site and are being examined.
157. 1906: It's likely to be a long haul for everyone following the rescue. The Chilean president himself has said it could take between 24 and 48 hours to bring all 33 men to the surface.
158. 1903: TV viewers can watch the rescue unfold live on the BBC: on the BBC News Channel in the UK or on BBC World for viewers around the globe.
159. 1900: The order the men come out is not fixed - it will be determined by medical assessments made down in the mine.
160. 1853: David Leslie from Miami, Florida writes: "My Chilean wife and I will be watching the events here in Miami and linking up with our family in Santiago via webcam. And hopefully breaking out the champagne in celebration of the rescue of these incredibly brave men." Have Your Say
161. 1847: As well as news from our own correspondents we'll be highlighting your comments, e-mails and tweets. Everyone has something to say about this unique story - use the links on the right hand side of the page to have your say.
162. 1839: The sister of one of the miners, Elisabeth Segovia, has spoken to the BBC World Service's Newshour programme: "I just want this rescue to begin now, for them to come out safely, that there are no hitches, that they just come up now and that they're all safe."
163. 1830: President Pinera has told the mother of Florencio Avalos that her son has been chosen to come up first, the AP news agency reports. Maria Silva says she is very proud of him. He was not surprised at being picked, she adds. Perhaps he will have a helmet camera attached when he's in the capsule?
164. 1825: The BBC's Vanessa Buschschluter, at the San Jose mine, has been getting to know the miners' families in recent weeks. The first man due to come out, Florencio Avalos, is married with two children, she reports. He's a foreman, second in command in the mine. He's been at the San Jose mine for eight years. His wife is Monica Araya, aged 33. He apparently told her just before the accident that the mine "creaked a lot".
165. 1822: Chilean officials have chosen Mr Mamani, the Bolivian, as the third miner to come up. The first will be Florencio Avalos, 31, a driver. Mr Avalos is of athletic build and he has been one of the most active during the ordeal, filming videos to be sent to the surface. It is important for the operation that the first miners to come out are psychologically stable and experienced - in case something goes wrong.
166. 1815: The BBC's Tim Willcox tweets: "Chilean TV says medical and rescue teams already down in the mine - based on what one family has told them." Read Tim Willcox's tweets
167. 1814: We'll be bringing you insight and live reporting from our team of correspondents at the mine throughout the rescue.
168. 1807: Mr Pinera's Bolivian counterpart, Evo Morales, is also at the mine. There is a Bolivian among the miners: Carlos Mamani, a heavy machinery operator. The experience traumatised the 23-year-old, his father-in-law has said, and he does not apparently want to work in mines again.
169. 1758: We can expect the rescue to begin in a couple of hours or so, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera has just said. He used a speech at the mine to praise the rescue workers: "We made a promise to never surrender, and we kept it." The first rescue worker is due to go down shortly to prepare the miners for their ascent.
170. 1750: Since a rockfall 68 days ago they have been trapped in the heat and the damp and the dark. Now a steel capsule barely wider than a man's shoulders - codenamed Phoenix - will be used to lift them out, one after another, via a shaft specially drilled through 700m (half a mile) of solid rock. It has been an agonising wait for the miners' loved ones too, of course, camped out near the mine.
171. 1745: Hello and welcome to our live coverage of one the most extraordinary rescue operations in history. We will be keeping you posted throughout the attempt to winch 33 miners to freedom from the bowels of a gold and copper mine in northern Chile.

via bbc.co.uk