Post date: Sep 29, 2010 12:9:7 PM
The Plan B rescue drill is halfway to reaching 33 miners trapped in Chile for almost two months.
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CHILE-MINERS UPDATE - Families of the 33 miners trapped in Chile celebrate after rescue workers move one step closer to reaching their loved ones.
News broke on Tuesday that rescuers had passed the halfway point with a rescue drill- cause for celebration for relatives who have not seen the trapped men in almost 2 months.
SISTER OF TRAPPED MINER:
"There is just a little bit left to get to our people. We have fought so much. Thanks to God and thanks to everyone and thanks to you all too, who have been with us."
The 'Plan B' drill has now passed the 300 metre mark on the way to miners who are trapped over 600 metres underground.
The drill is boring successively larger holes until it can pull the men back up to the surface in a capsule designed by the Chilean navy.
The cabinet chief for Chile's interior ministry said preparations are being made to receive the miners above ground.
(CHRISTIAN BARRA, INTERIOR MINISTRY CABINET CHIEF:
"We are preparing for in 15 days to be able to do the rescue at any time. It doesn't mean this will happen in 15 days, but all the installations- the hospital, the medical team, the meeting point, everything required will be prepared for 15 days from now so the rescue can be done at any time."
Officials first said the men would be trapped until Christmas but now estimate the miners could be free in early November- despite rumours that they could be out in October.
Simon Hanna, Reuters.