Thirty-three Chilean miners trapped underground for more than two weeks have notified authorities they are still alive, but rescuers say it could take up to four months to reach them.
Chile's President Sebastian Pinera said Sunday a drill sent by rescuers nearly 700 meters into the mine came back with a message from the trapped men. He displayed the message in a television appearance.
Relatives hugged and kissed upon hearing the news.
Supplies of the trapped miners are limited. Rescue teams thus plan to lower food, communications equipment and other items to help them until they are rescued.
The miners became trapped following a shaft collapse on August 5 in a gold and copper mine near the northern city of Copiapo, about 700 kilometers north of Santiago.
It is not clear what caused the mine collapse. The mine has had a history of accidents and had been closed in recent years before it was reopened.
Chile is the world's largest copper supplier.
Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
