An Anthem Before the Descent

Operation San Lorenzo, named for the patron saint of miners, began on the evening of October 12. After a three-hour delay for final safety tests, rescuer Manuel González was lowered into the mine at about 11:18 p.m. During his 18-minute descent, the families and rescuers waiting above sang Chile's national anthem. To save time, the capsule that took him down came back with a miner aboard: Florencio Ávalos, chosen for his fitness and steadiness.