Trapped Chilean Miners Phone Loved Ones

Trapped Chilean miners speak to loved ones directly for the first time, via a telephone line sent down the shaft. But rescue efforts to free the miners may take up to 4 months.

More than 150 people took part in a mass on Sunday for the 33 miners trapped underground in Chile.

Locals residents from the town of Copiapo gathered together as a priest conducted the service.

While miners have continued sending video messages to their families, some were also to speak directly with family members, via a telephone line, sent down the shaft to the trapped men.

One of the miners used the opportunity to assure his mother.

[Alicia Campos, Mother of Chilean Miner Daniel Herrera]: (Spanish)
"He didn't ask me anything in particular, he said to relax and that everything was fine, but I told him that they should take care of themselves."

Another was able to talk with his wife.

[Jessoca Sa;gado, Wife of Miner Alex Vega]: (Spanish) J
"He asked me about the children and told me to send them his love, to his children."

The long drilling process to extract the miners is due to begin on Monday.

Chile is looking at ways to speed up the rescue, which is expected to take between three and four months.