The lives of 33 Chilean miners changed forever when the copper and gold mine they were working in collapsed on Aug. 5, 2010.
The miners, trapped 700 meters underground in the northern tip of Chile, began an unbelievable journey to survival, inspiring the world with their bravery, friendship and leadership, before the first video emerged from the mine 17 days later.
On Oct. 13, 2010, 69 days into the nightmare, the world watched as the miners were rescued, one by one, thanks to a meticulous drill operation.
Since the incident, books and documentaries have been made about the miners, and film deals have been the talk of the town.
But one year later, most of the 33 Chilean miners are back to their life of poverty and have been struggling with psychological problems, according to several reports.
Samuel Avalos, the 22nd miner to be rescued, has reverted to selling pirate CDs on the street. His income is less than half of the salary he made as a miner, according to The Guardian.
"Some have problems with their memories and they're suffering. We don't all have the same capacity to bounce back," shift leader Luis Urzua told Agence France-Presse.
Several events across Chile, including a massive celebration on Oct. 13, 2011, have been scheduled to commemorate the 33 miners and their unbelievable rescue.
A worker touches a concrete block which covers the hole where the trapped Chilean miners were freed, at the San Jose copper and gold mine near Copiapo city August 3, 2011. August 5 marks the first anniversary of the collapse of a small mine in northern Chile which left 33 miners trapped for around two months.REUTERSA worker stands in front of the access to the collapsed mine where 33 miners were trapped at the San Jose copper and gold mine near Copiapo city August 3, 2011. August 5 marks the first anniversary of the collapse of a small mine in northern Chile which left 33 miners trapped for around two months.REUTERSDario Segovia, one of the 33 miners who were trapped deep underground inside a copper and gold mine last year, holds his helmet at his home during an interview in Copiapo city August 4, 2011. August 5 marks the first anniversary of the collapse of a small mine in northern Chile which left 33 miners trapped for around two months.REUTERSDario Segovia, one of the 33 miners who was trapped deep underground inside a copper and gold mine last year, listens a question during an interview at his home in Copiapo city August 4, 2011. August 5 marks the first anniversary of the collapse of a small mine in northern Chile which left 33 miners trapped for around two months.REUTERSDario Segovia, one of the 33 miners who were trapped deep underground inside a copper and gold mine, reads the writing on his helmet next to his wife Jessica Chilla in his home in Copiapo city August 4, 2011. August 5 marks the first anniversary of the collapse of a small mine in northern Chile which left 33 miners trapped around two months. The helmet reads, "Miner San Jose".REUTERSYonni Barrios (L), Pablo Rojas (R), Mario Gomez (rear C) and Pedro Cortez (rear R), four of the 33 miners who were trapped deep underground inside a copper and gold mine, attend a meeting at the Copiapo city council August 4, 2011. August 5 marks the first anniversary of the collapse of a small mine in northern Chile which left 33 miners trapped around two months.REUTERSA photo frame showcases images of Dario Segovia, one of the 33 miners who were trapped deep underground inside a copper and gold mine last year, and his friends inside his home in Copiapo city August 4, 2011. August 5 marks the first anniversary of the collapse of a small mine in northern Chile which left 33 miners trapped for around two months.REUTERS
