Rescue of 'Los 33' a human triumph over adversity

The Times Editorial: A mesmerised world watched yesterday as the first of the 33 miners trapped for 69 days beneath 688m of rock in Chile were lifted to the surface. Shortly after midnight, Chilean time, , Florencio Avalos, 31, appeared haggard but jubilant as he emerged from the specially designed rescue capsule.

As yesterday progressed, miner after miner was assisted from the increasingly battered capsule. Some fell into the warmth of a loved one's embrace; others seem stoic as they took their first step free of the bowels of the earth.

The remarkable rescue of these men symbolised a universal moment of exceptional hope.

After very lengthy planning for the rescue, which many believed would not succeed, Chile has been thrown into the international spotlight. The domestic popularity of President Sebastian Piñera, the country's first right-wing leader in 20 years, has been strengthened by the success of the operation.

Yesterday President Jacob Zuma said: "Having a strong mining culture like Chile, we can fully empathise with the fears and anxieties of those who have suffered this terrifying experience: the victims, their next-of kin, the government and the people of Chile."

But South Africans have done more than empathise - local company Murray & Roberts was one of the first to respond to Chile's call for help after the collapse of the gold and copper mine in the northern Atacama desert.

Much has been said about the book and film deals, and the immense wealth that will flow to the miners from their ordeal, and the media spotlight will certainly remain focused on them for a while yet.

But, what will remain vivid in our collective memory for a long time is, once again, the remarkable and universal story of human triumph over adversity.