Widespread praise for rescuers and volunteers who worked to free toddler against the odds

Miners from Asturias were hailed as heroes and there was pride in the dedication of the many teams in the complex mission

With a air of sadness, the widely praised rescue workers posed for a final team photograph. .

SUR

01/02/2019 a las 09:48h.

Amid the frustration that more couldn't have been done to save Julen, there was praise for the hundreds of rescue workers, volunteers and experts who had contributed to the unprecedented and complicated operation.

On Saturday, as Julen's body was found, there was immediate recognition for the team of eight "heroes" from the mine-rescue service in Asturias, northern Spain, who had worked in shifts to excavate the rock in the last stages in dangerous conditions.

"We only want to say one thing as we didn't get the chance; to express our condolences to the family that yesterday, given the time it was and how it all ended, we weren't able to," they said on Sunday as they prepared to fly home.

Their leader, Sergio Tuñón, later thanked the Guardia Civil and Malaga fire service for their support.

On Tuesday, the national head of the Guardia Civil, Féliz Azón, was at the force's Malaga barracks to congratulate his officers for their work.

Many different companies offered support for the fast operation, which would normally have taken several months, including a firm in Alhaurín el Grande that hurriedly built the capsule to lower the miners down the parallel borehole, the Swedish geolocalisation team that had been involved in the rescue of 33 Chilean miners in 2010 and a Murcia firm that built the steel lining of the parallel shaft.

The small hillside municipality of Totalán, with just 700 inhabitants, was also warmly thanked for the way they had opened their doors to support the operation, providing lodging and food.