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First Survivors Land in Chile

Airlift begins to bring them from island to Chilean mainland

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 24, 2007 3:52 PM CST

(Newser) – An air force plane transported about half of the survivors from yesterday's Antarctic shipwreck to Chile today, BBC reports. The others—79 of the Explorer's 156 passengers—may spend a second night on a remote island due to bad weather. A Chilean air force spokesman said the survivors did "very well" on their first overnight. "Some of them have been in touch with their families via the Internet," he said.

"It's certainly nice to be on the way home now," one US survivor said before boarding the plane to leave King George island. "I'm just really glad to be around still." Tourists from the sunken Explorer include 13 Americans, 10 Canadians, and 23 Britons—all described as being in "good spirits" by the tour company.

Passengers of the Canadian ship MS Explorer rest inside a Chilean Air Force C-130 aircraft during their flight to Punta Arenas, Chile, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007. Tourists from 14 nations rescued off Antarctica... (Associated Press)

Passengers of the Canadian ship MS Explorer, arrive to Punta Arenas, Chile, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007, after being evacuated from King George Island, Antarctica. The Ms Explorer, a Canadian-operated cruiser... (Associated Press)

In this photo released by Chile's Navy, the Liberian-flagged Explorer cruise ship is seen sinking after it hit an object in Antarctic waters, Friday, Nov. 23, 2007, some 880 kilometers southeast of Ushuaia,... (Associated Press)

In this photo released by Chile's Air Force, passengers of the Canadian ship MS Explorer are helped by Chilean Air Force personnel as they arrive to Fildes Bay on King George Island, Antarctica, Friday,... (Associated Press)

Peter Jannenga, left, and Henny Mulder from Holland, passengers of the Canadian ship MS Explorer, react upon their arrival to Punta Arenas, Chile, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007, after being evacuated from King... (Associated Press)

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Passengers share harrowing tales

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

shipwreck • Chile • Antarctica • cruise ships

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More Newser Stories

Last Survivors Land in Chile

Passengers share harrowing tales

Italy Calls Off Search for Cruise Victims

16 still listed as missing, but conditions too dangerous

Costa Concordia Wreck Will Take Months to Remove

Locals worried about cruise ship's environmental impact

Costa Survivors to Get $14K Each

16th body found in cruise ship disaster

Cruise Ship Runs Aground, 3 Bodies Found

Luxury liner shipwrecked off coast of Italy

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