The first rescue worker was lowered into the Chilean mine late Tuesday, the official beginning of the rescue of 33 trapped miners.
“Imagine you’re at the beach,” said one of the rescue workers who helped enclose him in the 54-cm wide Phoenix capsule for the descent 622 metres into the earth.
On its return journey, Phoenix will carry the first miner, Florencio Avalos, 31, to the surface for his first gulp of surface life in more than two months.
The capsule is equipped with oxygen tanks, communication lines and special belts to monitor the miner’s vital signs. The miners have been on a liquid diet to prevent nausea and boost blood pressure.
