Presidential tribute for Chilean miners

The 33 miners rescued from the bottom of the San Jose mine in northern Chile have been at an official tribute to them held at the country’s presidential palace.

Reuters

Wearing business suits the men were greeted by Chile’s President Sebastian Pinera. They were then presented with a medal each celebrating Chile’s independence bicentennial, as well as a replica of the capsule which rescued them. The President then gave a Chilean flag to the 32 Chilean miners, and a Bolivian one to Carlos Mamani, the only foreigner in the group.

Reuters

"We are never going to leave behind another Chilean," said Pinera, "because we have learned our lesson."

He then said he would soon be announcing new measures to improve protection for miners and other workers, without immediately providing more details.