World

Florencio Avalos, First Miner Rescued: Chile Miner Rescue List

by Amy Judd | October 12, 2010 at 02:54 pm

6279 views | 2 Recommendations | 1 comment

Florencio Avalos, 31, Will Be the First Miner to be Rescued From the Chile Mine October 12

Florencio Avalos is the man who recorded the daily activities of the miners underground over the past 69 days and he is one of the most experienced miners.

The rescue is expected to start at about 9 pm ET.

Avalos will be the first miner to climb into the rescue capsule, wearing an oxygen mask, and will be raised about 2,000 feet to the surface of the earth; it is expected that each rescue will take about 15 minutes.

A team of paramedics and rescue aids will be lowered down into the shaft first to assist with the rescue.

Watch the Chile Mine Rescue Live

Chile President Sebastian Pinera arrived at the San Jose Mine on Tuesday and spoke about this historic moment.

"Today's the end of a long journey," Pinera said. "This story started as a possible tragedy, and we hope that it ends as a blessing."

Once the miners have been rescued, they will be transported to Copiapó hospital where they will begin their treatment. Police have already announced that they will close the streets and restrict the access around the hospital.

The President said that the men in the mine will not be the same, and he thinks the people of Chile will be forever changed as well.

Chile Miner Rescue List - Full List