33 Miners Found Alive After 17 Days

But rescue effort could still take months
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 22, 2010 4:04 PM CDT
33 Miners Found Alive After 17 Days
Rescue workers are seen outside the San Jose mine where 34 copper workers were trapped inside in Copiapo, northern Chile, Friday, Aug. 6, 2010.   (AP Photo/Luis Hidalgo)

After 17 days trapped underground, 33 Chilean miners were confirmed alive today. A probe reached the miners at 2,257 feet and returned with a handwritten note reading, “All 33 of us are fine in the shelter,” the AP reports. The gold and copper mine collapsed Aug. 5, and it could take as long as four months to rescue the miners, who have air and food supplies in the shelter. Even so, “we are overjoyed at the news,” says Chile’s president.
(More Chile stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X