2010 Chile mine rescue

Relatives stand by as rescuers work to free 33 miners trapped inside the San Jose mine near Copiapo, Chile, on August 6, 2010. The mine collapsed a day earlier, and the miners ended up trapped 2,300 feet underground for more than two months. See how the rescue operation unfolded.

2010 Chile mine rescue

Miner Daniel Espinoza waits outside the collapsed copper and gold mine to help in the rescue efforts on August 7.

2010 Chile mine rescue

Miners carry an effigy of Saint Lorenzo, the patron saint of miners, before a Mass outside the collapsed mine on August 10.

2010 Chile mine rescue

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera holds up a plastic bag containing a message from the miners on August 22. Translated from Spanish, it read: "We are OK in the refuge, the 33." The miners were confirmed to be alive when rescue teams reached them via a tube that was sent down a small hole. The same hole was used to provide the miners with food, supplies and letters.

2010 Chile mine rescue

Drilling machines work in the rescue operation on August 24.

2010 Chile mine rescue

Marion Gallardo, the granddaughter of trapped miner Mario Gomez, writes a letter to her grandfather on August 25.

2010 Chile mine rescue

Relatives watch a video of the trapped miners on August 26. Chilean television aired footage of the miners, showing them in good spirits and explaining how their underground shelter was set up.

2010 Chile mine rescue

Minister Javier Soto dedicates one of the 33 Bibles that would be sent down to the miners on August 31.

2010 Chile mine rescue

On September 8, volunteers install heating and water purification systems at the La Esperanza tent city that sprang up outside the mine as news of the collapse spread. Esperanza means hope in English.

2010 Chile mine rescue

Margarita Segovia, the wife of miner Ariel Ticona, rests beside their newborn daughter Esperanza at a hospital in Copiapo on September 14.

2010 Chile mine rescue

People celebrate the arrival of part of an oil rig on September 16. Soon, an escape route would be drilled for the trapped miners.

2010 Chile mine rescue

On September 25, a worker tests a capsule that would be used as part of rescue operations.

2010 Chile mine rescue

A rescue worker walks past a banner with pictures of the trapped miners on October 11.

2010 Chile mine rescue

Media vehicles are parked on the outskirts of the mine on October 11.

2010 Chile mine rescue

Loreto Campbell, a relative of miner Jorge Galleguillos, reacts while watching his rescue on a TV screen at the camp outside the mine on October 13. Galleguillos was the 11th of 33 miners who were rescued.

2010 Chile mine rescue

Miner Alex Vega hugs his wife after his rescue on October 13. All 33 miners were rescued.