Delicate rescues like the one in Thailand take precision planning. One mistake could be deadly. But it can and has been done before. CGTN's Jim Spellman explains.

Rescuers in Thailand face a tough task, but people have been rescued before in extreme situations on earth and beyond. In 2010, 33 miners in Chile were trapped deep underground after an explosion collapsed a mine shaft. Rescuers drilled exploratory holes trying to find them. After 17 days, rescue crews found a note from the miners attached to a drill bit. After 69 days underground, all 33 miners made it to the surface safely.

LUIS URZUA MINER "We had strength, we had courage, we had grit to fight, fight for our lives, to fight for our families."

In 2009 US Airways Pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger landed an Airbus 320 on the Hudson River off of New York City after a bird strike damaged both engines. Dubbed "The Miracle on the Hudson" all 150 passengers and 5 crew all escaped safely. In 2016, four miners in Shandong Province China were trapped more than 200 meters below the surface. Hundreds of rescuers worked day and night digging ventilation shafts and sending food and water down to the miners while an escape tunnel was created. After 36 days the trapped miners rose safely to the surface.

And in 1970, three US astronauts headed for the moon were stranded in space after an oxygen tank exploded, damaging electrical circuits. In 1995 the incident was made into a movie starring Tom Hanks. The crew improvised a solution and made it back to earth safely.

JIM SPELLMAN WASHINGTON "One thing all these rescues have in common is experts finding creative solutions, working tirelessly, and never giving up. Jim Spellman, CGTN, Washington."