Rescue of Chile miners could start Wednesday

The rescue of 33 workers trapped in a Chilean mine for more than two months is likely to start Wednesday, officials said after drillers made a dramatic breakthrough to reach the men.

The drill crew announced the breakthrough Saturday - on the 66th day of the miners' confinement - by blasting an air horn, then jumping and embracing each other in joy.

They were joined by the hundreds of relatives of the miners staying next to the mine at Camp Hope, who erupted in cheers and vivas, sounded sirens and hugged each other.

"We are setting the likely start date of the rescue around Wednesday," Mining Minister Laurence Golborne told reporters, adding that engineers needed time to stabilize the shaft through which the men will exit.

If the rescue starts Wednesday, all the miners could expect to be out by Friday after an ordeal that has lasted nearly 2.5 months.

AFP