Miners trapped in Chile mine for 17 days 'are alive' Thirty-three miners who have been trapped underground in a Chilean gold and copper mine for the past 17 days are all alive, Chile's President Sebastian Pinera has announced.
The miners reportedly tied a message saying that they were alive to a drill which reached them. "There was a note that said there are 33 workers alive down here," a rescue worker said.
The men were working at a depth of around 450m (1,475ft) at the San Esteban mine, near the city of Copiapo, when the rock above them collapsed.
Christ I hope they get out of that...