Specialized teams have begun an effort to rescue three Bolivians trapped deep underground in a mine in northern Chile, authorities said Friday.
The San Joss mine collapsed late Thursday, trapping the men at a depth of nearly 330 feet (100 meters). Local officials confirmed that the men are alive.
“We’ve been in contact with them through bangs and sounds,” Antofagasta regional Gov. Marco Antonio Dtaz said, adding that geotechnical experts from mines across the region have been assisting the rescue efforts, which included detonating small explosives to try to remove a large rock blocking the mine shaft.
Firefighters joined other rescue teams at the mine some 900 miles (1,500 kilometers) north of the Chilean capital, Santiago.
Special teams began rescue work for 3 Bolivians trapped underground in mine at northern Chile
