Miners’ plea to Chile president: Get us out of hell

Miners trapped half a mile underground today urged the president of Chile: "Get us out of this hell."

President Sebastian Pinera told the men by telephone their rescue "will take some time". The 33 workers have been trapped since August 5 and it could take four months to free them.

Their leader, Luis Urzua, 54, said: "We are hoping that all of Chile makes the effort so you can get us out of this hell. We need you to rescue us as soon as possible, don't abandon us."

The president told him: "We are looking for all the technology, all the teams, all the experts, because we have made a commitment to rescue you alive. We are going to keep doing everything humanly possible to get you back to the surface."

The men will be sent tape measures to ensure they do not get too fat to fit in the rescue borehole when it is drilled.