Chilean Restaurant Owner Speaks Out About Mine Rescue

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The owner of a Chilean restaurant on Melrose Avenue says he is overwhelmed by the show of unity among his countrymen and women during the ongoing rescue of 33 miners who have been trapped in the San José mine for more than two months.

Ricardo Flores immigrated to Los Angeles from Santiago in 1969 and opened Rincon Chileno in 1973, according to City News Service.

"Earlier this year we had one of the biggest earthquakes in the world," Flores said, referring to the 8.8-magnitude temblor and tsunami that killed more than 500 people in February.

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"Now we have had this dramatic problem with the miners. Each time the people of Chile have united. It is something we did not see for so many years of political divisions, under socialism and then Pinochet. This is a great moment for all Chileans, and for everyone around the world."

Flores' restaurant is popular among many Chilean emigrants for its empanadas and live feed of Television Nacional de Chile.

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