Supplies lowered down to trapped miners

Rescuers in Chile are lowering capsules containing rehydration tablets, glucose and oxygen down a long hole to 33 miners who surprised the world by staying alive while trapped a half-mile underground for two-and-a-half weeks.

Raising hopes further yesterday, a second bore hole punched into the chamber where the miners are entombed and a third probe was nearing the spot, mining minister Laurence Golborne said.