Chile: It may take 4 months to rescue trapped miners

Copiapo, Chile: Thirty-three Chilean miners trapped nearly half a mile underground and facing perhaps four months before rescue are now receiving food, water and oxygen from above ground.

Through a newly installed communications system, each of the men spoke and reported feeling hungry but well.

Sergio Aguila, a doctor on the rescue team, said the miners had sustained themselves for 17 days before being found with cans of tuna, milk and biscuits stored in the shelter where they took refuge after a tunnel collapsed on August 5.

Engineers are now working to reinforce the 6-inch-wide bore hole that broke through to the refuge. Other shafts will be bored to supply the miners while special equipment is assembled to drill a bigger hole to pull them out.