The Secretary-General this morning spoke by telephone with President Sebastian Piñera of Chile, to offer his warmest wishes following the safe rescue of 33 Chilean miners and congratulate the President for his tireless efforts. The people of Chile had never given up.

The Secretary-General joined with the people of Chile and the families of the heroic miners to celebrate what he called the “extraordinary triumph of human ingenuity and the strength of the human spirit”. They worked together and never gave up, he said, and we can all learn from their bravery and perseverance. The rescue of the heroic miners was a moment of pride for the miners, the people of Chile, and for all those who worked and prayed with them. The Secretary-General hoped the miners would fully recover from their ordeal.

New York, 14 October 2010