They Emerged from Purgatory, But Did We Learn Anything?

They Emerged from Purgatory, But Did We Learn Anything?
United Daily News editorial (Taipei, Taiwan, ROC)
A Translation
October 15, 2010

Executive Summary: Rescue operations for the San Jose gold and copper mine in Chile ended yesterday. Thirty-three miners, trapped more than 600 meters underground, were successfully brought to the surface. Looking back at Taiwan, how many of our politicians have this foreman's courage in the face of crisis? When a crisis confronts us, can we work together to survive the difficulties, instead of complaining? When someone needs assistance, do we go all out, acting with precision, doing our utmost? Or do we merely make a token effort, then give up? This group of miners laughed in the face of adversity. Besides admiring them, will we learn from them as well?


Full Text below:

For the first time, human beings were drilling to the center of the earth, not to extract minerals, but to rescue their trapped fellows. For the first time, a developing nation successfully carried out a difficult rescue mission with military precision, and the world looked on with admiration. For the first time, a tragic mine disaster had a happy ending, and redeemed the humanity of people the world over.

Rescue operations for the San Jose gold and copper mine in Chile ended yesterday. Thirty-three miners, trapped more than 600 meters underground, were successfully brought to the surface. Furthermore, they were in better physical condition than anyone expected. Rescuers initially estimated that the rescue would take 120 days, and that the trapped miners could not be extracted before Christmas. But technical and material support from various quarters enabled them to accomplish their "Mission Impossible" in 70 days, with virtually no complications to speak of.

This was the longest rescue operation in history. For the rescuers above ground, it was a difficult project. For the miners trapped underground, the physical and mental challenges were daunting. The amazing thing is that the rescuers above ground did everything right. They never missed a step. The miners trapped underground gave each other encouragement. No one fell apart. The rescue operation is being touted as the greatest rescue in modern history. The rescuers above ground and the miners trapped underground encouraged each other, cooperated with each other. They never lost faith. This enabled the trapped miners to emerge from purgatory and rejoin the living.

This incident forced us to re-examine the "time" vs. "cost" myth. Disaster relief efforts on Taiwan used to be conducted in accordance with an iron law known as the "Golden 72 Hours." The assumption was that once this time frame had been exceeded, the chances the victims were still alive were slim, and rescue efforts would be abandoned. This time however, the miners were found alive by rescuers 70 days after the mine collapsed. The provision of the emergency refuge zone played a role. It had only enough air and water for two days. But rescue workers remained tireless, and continued their search. After seven failed exploratory shafts, they finally located the survivors. Their efforts bore witness to boundless human will and endurance.

The rescue operation required continuous excavation at extremely deep levels. Not only were the risks high, the cost was even higher. The rescue operation cost nearly 600 million NTD. The cost of rescuing each miner was nearly 20 million NTD. The rescue operation had a price. But human life is priceless. People clearly knew that over 30 people were trapped below. No matter how financially strapped the government might be, it had to do its utmost to rescue them. How can one put a price tag on a successful rescue?

The Chilean government's rescue operation was remarkable. Its rescue plan was methodical. It proceeded above ground and below, simultaneously. In the event one rescue plan failed, it simultaneously prepared an alternate plan. For example, rescuers simultaneously drilled two rescue shafts. In the event one of the two shafts missed, they would immediately begin drilling a third, at another location. This substantially increased the cost of the rescue operation. But it was the best way to ensure that the miners would be rescued.

Chile's mines have a poor reputation. Their safety has been questionable. But this time the Chilean Government's rescue effort resulted in success. It looked after the trapped miners, providing them with sustenance. The military cooperated by providing the Phoenix rescue capsule. The government invited experts from the United States to assist, The disaster had a happy ending. It not only united the hearts of the Chilean people, it won the applause of the world.

Most moving of all, was the comportment of the 33 miners. Trapped in a virtual purgatory, subject to physical and mental suffering, facing an unknown fate, they refused to despair. They cheered each other on. Within their dark, narrow space, they maintained discipline and order. They exercised, making their waists smaller, ensuring that they would fit into the rescue capsule. They yielded to one another. Each volunteered to be the last rescued. By mutual agreement, they agreed to write a book about their experience, and to share any royalties.

How can anyone not respect the miners? Yesterday, 54 year old Luis Ursua was the last man to be rescued. This mining foreman may look like just another elderly man. But he is a genuine hero. When the mine collapsed, he led everyone to the refuge zone. He strictly rationed both water and food, ensuring that two days of rations lasted 17 days, and keep them alive until rescuers could reach them. He divided 30 square meters of tunnel into a work area, rest area, and sanitary area. He assigned people to shifts. He simulated day and night by turning the lights on and off, making sure that everyone knew what time it was above. This foreman comported himself with greater calm and wisdom than most generals. That was why 33 miners could stare into the face of death and not panic.

Looking back at Taiwan, how many of our politicians have this foreman's courage in the face of crisis? When a crisis confronts us, can we work together to survive the difficulties, instead of complaining? When someone needs assistance, do we go all out, acting with precision, doing our utmost? Or do we merely make a token effort, then give up? This group of miners laughed in the face of adversity. Besides admiring them, will we learn from them as well?

他們走出煉獄，我們學到什麼？
【聯合報╱社論】 2010.10.15

第一次，人類鑽向地心的深井不是為了掏礦，而是為了把困在那裡的人營救出來；第一次，一個開發中國家把高難度的救援過程操練得如此完美，讓舉世刮目相看；第一次，一次悲慘的礦坑大災變卻以動人的大喜劇收場，讓全球共沐從災難到救贖的人性恩典。

智利聖荷西金銅礦場的救援行動昨天落幕，卅三名受困六百多公尺深地底的礦工全部順利脫困；而且，他們的健康狀況顯得比外界預期為佳。最初預估要花費一百廿天，遲至耶誕節才可能將他們救出；但靠著各界的技術及物資支援，最後僅花了七十天即成功達陣。完成此一不可能的任務，絲毫沒有儌倖可言。

這項史上最漫長的救援行動，對地面營救者而言，是艱鉅的工程；對地下受困者而言，則是身心的嚴酷挑戰。難得的是，地面上的人步步為營，沒有失手；而地下的人相互鼓勵，沒有人崩潰。這次行動被稱為近代史上最偉大的救援，原因就是地上與地下的彼此呼應、打氣、配合，在絕不放棄的信念下，使所有受困者得以走出煉獄，重返人間。

此一事件，教我們如何重新審視救災的「時間」及「成本」迷思。過去台灣的災難救援工作，存在著「黃金72小時」的鐵律；認為過此時限，受難者生還機會渺茫即告放棄。這次，礦工們是在礦坑崩塌17天後，才被搜救者發現都還活著。坑道避難所的設計發揮了作用，那裡的空氣和飲水雖僅足兩天之用，搜救人員卻仍持續不懈地搜尋，探鑽通風井歷經七次失敗，終於探測生還者的蹤跡。人的意志和耐力不可限量，由此可見。

再看，整個救援行動因為要不斷深度掘挖，不僅危險度極高，經費更是驚人。高達六億多元新台幣的救援花費，平均起來，花在每個礦工身上的費用高達兩千萬元。但是，救援有價，人命卻是無價的；明知有卅多人身陷於此，政府再怎麼拮据也要用盡方法把人救出來。救援成功的甜美果實，豈能以金錢計？

在救援過程中，智利政府的表現可圈可點。它提出的營救方案，步驟分明，地上、地下兩路並進；同時，為了防止救援失敗，還提出備用計畫同步進行。例如，鑽挖救生坑的行動，採取A、B兩路同時進行；A計畫挫敗後，又立即啟動C計畫，在另翼開挖。如此，雖大幅增加營救成本，卻是保證礦工得到最佳救援機會的不二法門。

智利的礦場一向聲名不佳、安全堪虞，但智利政府透過這次救援行動，包括對受困礦工的飲食及身心健康維護，包括軍方配合打造了「鳳凰號」救生艙，乃至邀來美國探鑽專家的協助，使得一場救援行動完美落幕。一場災難以喜劇收場，不僅凝聚了智利人民的心，也贏得了世界的掌聲。

最令人動容的，還是33名受困礦工的表現。他們困處煉獄般的礦坑，在身心煎熬中面對不可知的命運，卻沒有被絕望或焦慮擊倒。他們互相打氣，在狹窄而黑暗的空間中建立共處秩序；他們鍛鍊身體，使腰圍變小，以便使自己裝進狹小的救生艙；他們彼此推讓，希望自己排在最後出坑；相互約定，這段地底的日子要共同寫成書，集體分享版稅。

真的，誰能小看礦工？54歲的領班鄂蘇亞昨天最後一個被營救出來，這位長得像隔壁歐吉桑的領班，卻是真正的英雄。礦坑坍塌時，他指引大家疏散逃生；在逃生區，他嚴格管制水和食物，讓大夥靠著兩天的口糧撐了17天，撐到救兵發現他們。他把不到30平方米的坑道，分為工作區、休息區和衛生區，指派大家輪流工作休息；利用燈光的開閉模擬日夜，教大家知道地面的時日。一個領班，表現得比一位將軍還要鎮定與睿智；所以33名礦工能一條心，面對死亡威脅，毫不慌亂。

回頭想想，在台灣，我們的政壇有多少人臨危時能有這位工頭的膽識？當我們遭遇危難，能否齊心協力共度難關，而不怨天尤人？當有人需要救援，我們能否義無反顧、精準擘劃、全力以赴，而不只是略盡心意即止？看這群礦工談笑走過煉獄，我們除了感佩，會不會有些自嘆弗如？