<p><br /> Chilean rescuers hoisted 33 trapped miners to safety on Wednesday as millions watched round the globe and church bells pealed across the nation after a two-month underground ordeal.<br /> </p><p><br /> In a complicated but flawless operation under Chile's far northern desert, Luis Urzua, who was shift leader when the mine collapsed in early August, emerged last through 2,050 feet of rock in a metal capsule little wider than a man's shoulders.<br /> </p><p><br /> With much of the world transfixed on TV, celebrations erupted and the miners, who set a world record for survival underground, were welcomed as national heroes outside the San Jose gold and copper mine in the Atacama desert.<br /> </p><p><br /> "I hand the shift over to you and hope this never happens again," Urzua, 54, wearing sunglasses to protect his eyes, told a waiting and emotional President Sebastian Pinera.<br /> </p><p><br /> Bells and horns sounded throughout the South American country in celebration, while a crowd outside the mine chanted "Viva Chile" amid smiles, tears and a sea of red-white-and-blue national flags.<br /> </p><p><br /> Rescuers held up a sign in Spanish reading: "Mission Accomplished" before ascending themselves after the 33 miners were evacuated. Some people compared the 24-hour operation to the mid-space rescue of the Apollo 13 crew 40 years ago.<br /> </p><p><br /> Congratulations poured in from abroad, with US President Barack Obama hailing the rescue as an inspiration to the world.<br /> </p>
