'Capsule' to rescue miners

Health Minister Jaime Manalich said all precautions are in place to treat the miners once they are removed from the cave where they have been living for more than fifty days. Manalich said the process should take one day, barring any unforeseen complications.

Mining Minister Laurence Golborne has said it would take eight days to insert a steel sleeve in the 28-inch-wide (71 cm wide) hole to prevent rock falling while miners are being pulled out.

In another indication of the rescue effort’s progress, Golborne said the rescue capsule, named Phoenix after the mythical bird that rises from the ashes of its own funeral pyre, must be ready within 10 to 12 days after they decide on a final design this week.

Each capsule will be equipped with tanks to provide three hours of oxygen, wheels mounted on shock absorbers to maintain contact with the pipe’s walls, an internal harness to prevent injury to the miners and a wireless communication system so the men can remain in touch with people inside and outside the mine during the 15- to 20-minute journey to the surface.