SAN JOSE MINE, Chile — Former rugby players from Uruguay who survived more than two months of isolation in the snow-covered Andes met yesterday with some of the relatives of 33 trapped miners and urged them to stay strong....
The men communicated with miners by video, urging them to appreciate the relative good fortune that nobody died in the tunnel collapse at the mine Aug. 5. They also said they were moved by the miners’ fortitude....
Fellow survivor Gustavo Servino, who waved an Uruguayan flag, said to the extent possible the miners should “enjoy themselves.’’
“Nobody died,’’ he said.
After speaking with the miners, the men presented an Uruguayan flag, which they said they would leave at the camp as a symbol of Latin American solidarity. “Viva, Chile!’’ they yelled.
Inciarte and Servino were among 16 Uruguayans who survived a plane crash in the snow-covered Andean peaks in 1972. They waited 72 days to be rescued, and some ate the flesh of friends killed in the crash to stay alive. Their story inspired the book and movie “Alive.’’
When does shooting start on this one?
Also see:
Chilean Gold Mine
Spending Some Time With the Trapped Chilean Miners
Chilean Miners Caught on Tape
Checking In With the Chilean Miners
Chilean Miners Working For Free
