South Americans are often superstitious, so much has been made in Chile of how it took 33 days to dig the shaft to rescue the 33 miners trapped in the San José gold and copper mine, using a drill bit apparently changed 33 times, and how the miners finally reached the surface on October 13 2010 – a date, which when expressed as 13-10-10, adds up to 33.
Sebastián Pi?era, the Chilean president who has worn his heart and deep religious convictions on his sleeve during the rescue, will hope the operation is as auspicious for him as it has been for the miners and their families.
He is poised to visit three European countries three days after the first miners emerged – there is that magic number 33 again.