Photo Gallery The Gotthard Breakthrough
Waiting for the big moment: Swiss workers waiting on Friday for the breakthrough of the Gotthard Base Tunnel.
Workers, journalists and VIPs gathered in the tunnel some 800 meters below ground to witness the historic moment.
The official celebration marking the event began with a bit of music. Swiss officials attended the event, but European transportation ministers, who were meeting in Luxembourg, did not attend.
A small chapel commemorates the eight workers who have lost their lives in the construction of the Gotthard Base Tunnel. On Friday, a moment of silence was held in their honor.
Foreman Hubert Bär holdingg a statue of Saint Barbara, the patron saint of miners. "This is the most wonderful moment in my 36 years of tunnel building," he said according to the Associated Press.
The decisive moment. The gigantic tunnel drilling machine Sissi bursts through the remaining rock in the tunnel.
The break through was witnessed by dozens of photographers and camera teams.
The final bits of stone fell away at 2:17 p.m. With the breakthrough, the Gotthard Base Tunnel became the world's longest.
Workers and journalists erupted in cheers, with many of those who labored to make the tunnel reality taking pictures for posterity.
Workers sprayed down the rubble to keep down the dust. The tunnel breakthrough took place 27 kilometers from the northern entrance in Canton Uri and 30 kilometers from the southern entrance in Tessin.
Watching from afar, gathered European Union transportation ministers congratulated Switzerland.
The drilling machines used in the project weigh 3,000 tons and are 400 meters long.
Workers raised glasses as the drill broke through the remaining rock on Friday afternoon.
One Swiss official proclaimed that his country was now home to the longest of the world's wonders.
Project foreman Hubert Bär was the first to pass through from the southern part of the tunnel to the northern part.
Workers congratulated each other and waved their national flags in celebration.
Many of them posed for group photos in front of the gigantic drilling machine.
The celebration ended with a mini-fireworks display.
