Miners trapped for more than two months deep underground in northern Chile were greeted with hugs, cheers and tears today as they were pulled to the surface one by one by rescuers using a missile-like escape capsule.

The first of the Chilean miners trapped underground for 69 days were being winched to fresh air and freedom today amid cheers from their families and countrymen.

RESCUERS hope to reach the 33 miners trapped underground in Chile within 24 hours, the mining minister says.

THE effort to save 33 men trapped deep in a Chilean mine was an unprecedented challenge, experts said yesterday.

The effort to save 33 men trapped deep in a Chilean mine was an unprecedented challenge, experts said today.

A huge drill began digging a planned escape route today as 33 men stuck half a mile underground in Chile became the longest-trapped miners in recent history.

A NEW video of 33 miners trapped under Chile’s Atacama Desert shows them sending greetings to their families, talking about how they are doing better since receiving food and breaking into tears as they mention loved ones.

A new video of 33 men trapped in San Jose Mine under Chile's Atacama Desert shows them sending greetings to their families, talking about how they are doing better since receiving food and breaking into tears as they mention loved ones.

The death toll is expected to rise in Chile after the country was hit by one of the most devastating earthquakes in history, leaving 1.5 million Chileans affected and 500,000 homes severely damaged.