Trapped Chilean Miners Alive, Rescue Still Far

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera showing a handwritten note with the message "All 33 of us are fine in the shelter", written by the miners trapped deep underground for 17 days in Copiapo, Chile. Photo by EPA.

33 miners trapped for two weeks and a half in a copper and gold mine in northern Chile are alive and well in an underground shelter.

Rescue workers have heard hammering and letter a note was received via a probe, saying the 33 are alive and safe.

The main tunnel of the San Jose de Copapio mine collapsed on August 5, leaving the 33 underground for 18 days now. They are 700 m vertically underground and 7 km into the mine.

Authorities say the miners are in a shelter “the size of a flat” and have limited amounts of food, with rescuers planning to use shafts to send more supplies until a final rescue.

That might be coming as late as four months from now due to technical requirements, according to the chief engineer of the rescue operation.

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera was present at the site and involved in the operation. Relatives of the miners have been critical of authorities about allegedly not putting enough efforts.

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