COPIAPO - Some of the 33 miners who were rescued last week after 69 days trapped underground returned yesterday for an emotionally charged religious service at the northern Chilean mine that almost became their tomb.
The miners, their families and friends attended an interfaith ceremony, led by clergy from several religions at the mouth of the San José copper and gold mine from which they were hoisted to freedom on Wednesday in a flawless rescue operation watched around the world.
The private service was held in the area known as "Camp Hope", the tent city where family members gathered to pray and await news about their husbands, sons and fathers trapped for more than two months at 625m (2,050ft) underground.
"The ceremony was beautiful," said Mario Gomez, at 63 the oldest of the 33 men. "We always had faith that we were going to get out. Now it is time to rest."
During the ceremony, participants could be heard clapping loudly and singing religious hymns and Chile's national anthem.
The miners were hauled out last week in a metal capsule little wider than a man's shoulders and dubbed "Phoenix" after the mythical bird that rose from the ashes. - (Reuters)