Miners see the light after 69 days underground

ONE by one, the miners trapped for 69 days in a dungeon that could have been their tomb far beneath the Chilean desert climbed into a rescue capsule and made a smooth ascent to the surface yesterday.

The rescued men included the oldest and youngest among the trapped. The effort was free of any significant problems, and on track to finish before sunrise local time today.

They were greeted by the embraces of loved ones, cheered by joyous Chileans and watched by a captivated world.