Breakthrough in Chile mine rescue

09.10.2010 [20:34]
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Baku, October 9 (AZERTAC). Rescuers have drilled through to the underground chamber where 33 Chilean miners have been trapped since August, according to BBC News.

The breakthrough at the San Jose mine came shortly after 0800 local time, sparking celebrations.

It means efforts to remove the miners through the tunnel should begin within days.

The men were trapped when part of the mine collapsed on 5 August - their 65-day ordeal is the longest suffered by a group of miners caught underground.

They have been living in a shelter 700m underground. However, the Plan B drill - the second of three which have been working simultaneously - has penetrated 624m to a workshop which can be reached by the miners.

Officials say everything needed for the rescue is now in place.

However, they still need to determine whether the miners can be winched up through the exposed rock, or if they will have to wait for the shaft to be encased with steel piping.

Once the drilling machinery has been removed, a camera will be lowered into the shaft to allow experts to examine the state of the rock walls.

Breakthrough in Chile mine rescue

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