Free at last!

Contrary to earlier projections, the men's rescue moved faster and smoothly, with each rescue coming at 440 minute intervals.

Florencio Avalos became the first man to reach the surface and as he emerged from the  'phoenix', the missile-like chamber specially designed for his and his mates' rescue he smiled broadly as gave his sobbing seven-year-old son and wife bear hugs and a kiss. Then he greeted his nation's President Sebastian Pinera, who has been deeply involved in an effort that has become a matter of national pride.