33 trapped Chilean miners alive, well and waiting

After 17 days trapped 688 metres below the surface, a group of Chilean miners announced they are alive by attaching a note to a probe that was pulled to the surface through a freshly drilled narrow shaft, as reported in the Globe and Mail. “All 33 of us are fine in the shelter,” read the note in large red letters.

Following the good news, Chilean President Sebastian Piera said: “Today all of Chile is crying with excitement and joy.” However, the miners may still remain underground for up to another four months, as rescuers work on drilling a hole wide enough to lift the miners back to the surface. The narrow hole will be used to send food, water and oxygen down to the miners as they await rescue in the San Esteban gold-copper mine, 850 km north of the capital, Santiago.