FACTBOX -- Who are the Chilean miners trapped underground?

[News_Editor]

FACTBOX -- Who are the Chilean miners trapped underground?

2010-10-13 06:07:58 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEAR COPIAPO, CHILE (BNO NEWS) -- Thirty-three Chilean miners have been trapped about 700 meters (2,300 feet) underground after a part of the San José copper-gold mine near Copiapo collapsed on August 5. On Tuesday, the first miners are expected to be rescued.

Below is some basic information about the miners.

1. Alex Vega Salazar, 31, is a heavy-machinery mechanic whose father is also a mining veteran. His hometown is Copiapo.
2. Ariel Ticona Yañez, 29, was trapped underground as his wife gave birth to a girl named Esperanza, or Hope. He was able to see it secondhand, by video.
3. Carlos Barrios Contreras, 31, is a foreman of Tierra Amarilla.
4. Carlos Bugueño Alfaro, 27, is a carrier pigeon handler who helped oversee the sending and receiving of packages to the mine during his shift. Alfaro, who is of Copiapo, worked in the mines with his childhood friend Pedro Cortez Contreras.
5. Claudio Yañez Lagos, 34, is a carrier pigeon handler who was originally a drill operator. His longtime girlfriend is now his fiancé after she proposed to him through a letter as he was trapped underground. They plan to marry when he surfaces.
6. Carlos Mamani Solis, 23, is the only non-Chilean man who is trapped in the mine. Solis, who is Bolivian, had begun working at the mines only a few days before the disaster happened. Reports say he has decided to never again work in a mine.
7. Claudio Acuña Cortés, 34, is a foreman of Copiapo.
8. Daniel Herrera Campos, 27, is of Marchigue and originally worked at the mine as a truck driver. However, after the accident, he has taken on the duties of a paramedic assistant.
9. Dario Antonio Segovia Rojo, 48, is a carrier pigeon handler of Copiapo. Odd enough, his father has also been trapped in a mine in the past. That ordeal lasted about a week.
10. Edison Peña Villarroel, 34, is an Elvis fan of Santiago who sent a request for his music to be sent down the mine and has led the group in singalongs.
11. Esteban Rojas Carrizo, 44, is a carrier pigeon handler who asked his wife to renew their vows after he is rescued.
12. Florencio Avalos Silva, 31, is trapped along with his brother, Renan. He became known as the cameraman during the ordeal as he filmed videos of the miners to be sent to rescuers and relatives at the surface.
13. Franklin Lobos Ramirez, 53, is an electrician of Copiapo.
14. Jorge Galleguillos Orellana, 56, is a carrier pigeon handler who is on medication for hypertension and concerns have been raised over his health after he said he felt unwell.
15. José Henriquez Gonzalez, 54, is a spiritual leader who has 33 years of experience working in mines. Being a religious leader, Gonzalez has been able to keep spirits up.
16. José Ojeda Vidal, 46, was originally a master driller but now serves as the secretary for the miners. He is reportedly on medication for diabetes.
17. Carlos Aguilar Gaete Juan, 49, is a mechanic from the mining town of Los Lagos. He serves as a supervisor for one of the three work shifts at the mine.
18. Juan Illanes Palma, 52, is an electrical mechanic who served as a corporal for Chile in its conflicts with Argentina.
19. Jimmy Sanchez Laguez, 19, is the youngest miner to be trapped. He works as an environmental assistant who - in his correspondences with his family - said he is looking forward to seeing his mother again (and enjoy her cooking).
20. Luis Urzúa Iribarren, 54, is the shift foreman. When first contact was made with the miners, Iribarren was the first to be heard, saying: "We are well and hoping that you will rescue us."
21. Mario Gomez Heredia, 63, is the oldest of the miners. He has been mining since he was only 12 years old and became one of the group's spiritual leaders. He requested a crucifix and statuettes of saints so the miners could construct a shrine underground.
22. Mario Sepulveda Espinace, 40, has assumed the role of spokesman for the miners and has appeared on camera for videos sent to the surface.
23. Omar Reygadas Rojas, 56, is a foreman of Copiapo who was originally a bulldozer operator before the disaster happened.
24. Osman Araya Araya, 30, is a carrier pigeon handler of San Vicente.
25. Pablo Rojas Villacorta, 45, is a carrier pigeon handler of Copiapo who is tasked with helping oversee the coming and going of packages to the mine. He has worked at the mine for approximately six months.
26. Pedro Cortez Contreras, 25, is an acoustics expert who joined the mine at the same time of Carlos Bugueno, who is his childhood friend. Bugueno is also trapped.
27. Raul Bustos Ibañez, 40, is a foreman of Talcahuano. He came to the mine to escape the aftermath of an earthquake and has been tasked with overseeing the water supply system after the collapse.
28. Renán Avalos Silva, 29, is a carrier pigeon handler who is trapped with his brother, Florencio.
29. Richard Villarroel Godoy, 27, is a mechanic of Coyhaique who spent two years at the mine.
30. Samuel Avalos Acuña, 43, is a gas monitor from Rancagua. He has been sending readings to the ground.
31. Victor Segovia Rojas, 48, has kept a journal throughout the experience and has been referred to as "the writer" of the group. His writing has kept rescuers up-to-date about the well-being of the miners.
32. Victor Zamora Bugueño, 33, is a carrier pigeon handler and poet. He and his wife are expecting a daughter in about six months, which they plan to call Paz Victoria (Peace Victory).
33. Yonny Barrios Rojas, 50, has assumed the role of chief paramedic because of his nursing experience. He has gained the nickname "Dr. House", referring to the main character of the U.S. television series "House."

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