Mario Gómez, one of the 33 miners rescued from the San José mine, dies

The death of Mario Gómez, one of the 33 miners rescued from the San José mine in 2010, was reported today. The Candelaria Funeral Home in Copiapó announced the death through its Facebook social network and announced where the wake will be held.

“Candelaria Funeral Home announces the death of Mr. Mario Nicolás Gómez Heredia (RIP),” the statement reads first.

The statement goes on to say that “his wake is at 2083 Aurora de Chile Street, Manuel Rodriguez, and his funeral will be held at the Mantos del Desierto Crematorium Cemetery in Copiapó at a time and date to be confirmed.” “We offer our most sincere condolences to his family and friends,” it concludes.

Gómez, like his 32 companions, was trapped 700 meters deep in the San José mine for more than two months. He was the oldest of them all and in 2017 he was hospitalized at the Clínica Alemana, initially for allegedly having pneumonia, but later, it was confirmed that he had silicosis and would be oxygen-dependent for the rest of his life.

Silicosis is the most common disease among miners, and is caused by prolonged and permanent exposure to free crystallized silica dust, which is very common in mines. (Emol)