MINERS who have been trapped underground for more than 17 days have received their first supplies of fresh food and water, rescue workers in Chile said today.
But the 33 men have not been told it may be Christmas before they will be freed.
Head of the rescue operation Andres Sougarret said it could take up to four months to drill a shaft wide enough to pull the Chilean miners to safety.
The supplies, contained in capsules, were sent down a tube, which is the miners' only lifeline.
The men have been trapped since August 5 when the main access tunnel to the mine collapsed.
The miners are thought to be located 4.5 miles (7km) inside the mine, in a 50 sq m shelter.
Tanks of water, along with water from drilling machines and ventilation shafts, helped the men to survive, but they had very limited food supplies.
The Chilean miners said that they survived on cans of tuna, milk and biscuits which were stored in the shelter.
“They had two little spoonfuls of tuna, a sip of milk and a biscuit every 48 hours,” said Sergio Aguila, a doctor who is part of the rescue team.
Rescuers in Chile made contact with the miners on Sunday after lowering a probe some 2,300ft (700m) beneath the surface.
Surrounded by overjoyed relatives of the miners, one of the drilling team held up a note from the miners saying: “All 33 of us are fine in the shelter.”
Video footage was later broadcast of the miners waving at a camera inserted into their refuge though a 6in (15cm) borehole.