Contemporary · South America · Disaster

2010

Chilean miners trapped

August 5, 2010

A copper-and-gold mine collapsed in northern Chile and trapped thirty-three men 700 meters underground for sixty-nine days. A narrow rescue capsule winched them out one by one in October as the world watched live television. They emerged squinting into floodlights, tearful and famous, and into book deals and a movie.

More from 2010 Contemporary

In context

Also in 2010 (6 other events on record)

Mohamed Bouazizi sets himself on fire · Africa · Politics
Haiti earthquake · North America · Disaster
Pakistan's monsoon megaflood · South Asia · Disaster
iPad unveiled · North America · Technology
Deepwater Horizon explodes · North America · Disaster
Eyjafjallajökull grounds Europe · Europe · Disaster

Before and after in South America

Before: June 30, 2002: Brazil wins fifth World Cup
After: August 5, 2016: Rio Olympics open

Before and after in Disaster

Before: January 15, 2009: Miracle on the Hudson
After: March 11, 2011: Tōhoku earthquake and Fukushima

Era

Contemporary (2001–2026), one of 196 events from that era on Saeculum.