Chilean prosecutors drop charges over 2010 mine collapse

Deutsche Welle, 2 Aug 2013

The Chilean public prosecutor's office has decided not to press charges against the owners of a mine that collapsed in 2010, trapping 33 workers underground for 70 days. Miners have responded with anger.

After a three-year probe into the mine collapse, the public prosecutor's office said the investigation had left it "unconvinced" of the need to file charges.

One of the miners, Mario Sepulveda, told the AP news agency that the decision was "a disgrace to Chile's justice system."

"It's impossible that in an accident of this magnitude no one is held responsible," said Sepulveda, who became a spokesman for the men at the time of the collapse and subsequent dramatic rescue. He added: "Today, I want to dig a deep hole and bury myself again; only this time, I don't want anybody to find me."

Shortcomings

Laurence Goldborne, who was mining minister at the time of the accident, also condemned the decision.

"It seems incredible to me that this would be the decision after a three-year probe," he said, stressing that the mine had obviously not been properly managed.

"Had the chimney at the San Jose mine had a ladder, in accordance with regulations... the 33 miners would not have spent 70 days trapped 700 meters (765 yards) under the ground," Goldborne said.

After the rescue, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera had vowed that those responsible for the cave-in would be held responsible.

A civil suit for compensation for the miners has been filed. A lawyer for 31 of the 33 men, Renato Frenafeta, said most of them had suffered from "serious psychological consequences" following the accident.

He said many could no longer work.

Worldwide broadcast

The San Jose mine in the Atacama Desert caved in on August 5, 2010, trapping the 33 miners in a hollow space under tons of rock. More than two weeks passed before it became known that the men had survived, which they did by stretching their 48-hour supply of emergency rations for 17 days.

Eventually, a narrow shaft was drilled into the hollow where the men were enclosed, establishing contact and allowing food and water to be sent to them.

The miners were finally rescued on October 13 in a spectacular operation that was broadcast around the world.

The incident focused attention on safety issues in the Chilean mining industry, one of the country's most important sources of income.

Following the accident, the rate of mining-related deaths and accidents in Chile fell, a fact the Mining Ministry attributes to better oversight by inspectors.

 tj/rc (dpa, AP)

Luis Urzúa, the leader of the trapped miners and the last of

the 33 to be lifted  to freedom, celebrates with President Piñera

at San José Mine, during "Operación San Lorenzo".

Related Articles:

Chile's Congress blame mine owners for accident

33, the magic number

The BBC’s James Read says the number 33 has taken on a special significance for the miners, who are known to be superstitious: there are 33 miners, it took 33 days for the drill to complete the rescue shaft and Roman Catholic Chileans believe Jesus Christ was 33 when he died. Even President Sebastian Pinera mentioned the “magic number” in his triumphant speech after the first miner emerged from the shaft. The date of the rescue 13/10/10, adds up to - you guessed it - 33.


"Atacama Desert, Chile 33-Miners" – Nov 5, 2013 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll) - New

"The 33 Miners" – Oct 24, 2012 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll)

"The N in Kundalini" – Oct 20, 2012 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll)

"The Human Design" – Oct 18, 2010 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll) - (Text version)

"... So finally, I give you an answer to a question that has not been asked, but is still on the minds of many. What happened last week in Chile was not an accident [the saving of 33 miners]. Everyone was amazed at how smooth it could be. So, look at the numerology around it! Even the mainstream media noticed - 33, 33, 33. But the media did not tell you the meaning of it, because they didn't know. To them, it was just coincidental, so many 33s!

Let me tell you what it means. Let us take a look at the numerology attributes of 33 from the ancients to modern day. The number 33 is called a master number. It is not to be broken apart numerologically, but you could still look at the attributes of the three alone if you wish. The three in numerological terms is a catalyst energy. A catalytic energy changes things around it. When you put two threes together, they represent one of the highest energies on the planet. It's so high that it's the last master number that is definable by humanity.

In numerology, 44 has no definition. Even those in Tibet who helped originate the numerological system said that 44 was multidimensional and had no paradigm of definition. Neither did 55 or 66 or 77. Thus, 33 was the highest of all defined master numbers and remains so to this day.

Now, don't misunderstand what I'm going to tell you, for this definition is not about the Human Being; it's about an attribute. Thirty-three is defined as the passion of the Christ. Not the man, but the attribute [the noun, compassionate redeemer], the passion of the Christ. Is there anything higher than this? The number 33 is the highest compassion number of them all, and here it was right in Chile, where the heart center moves to. This compassion for the miners was a metaphor filled with energy and things to look at, but nothing will ever be the same here. And how does it make you feel? ...."