Chilean Miners May Soon Breathe Fresh Air
The drill burrowed the miners' rescue shaft, essentially a two-foot wide tube. Each miner will be pulled up the rescue shaft in a capsule that is just a few inches smaller than the shaft itself. Rescuers will have to enforce the tube's upper walls with steel to prevent rocks from falling and blocking the way, and experts fear the capsules may snag the side of the shaft.
The miners survived for 17 days before rescuers and family knew they were still alive. A small bore hole had reached the miners and they were able to send up a note.
Read more about the miners here.