Chilean miners found alive after being trapped for 18 days.

This TV grab shows part of the head of Florencio Antonio Avalos Silva, one of 33 trapped miners.

Rescue workers were today battling to reach 33 miners trapped underground for 18 days in a Chilean mine. Experts said it would take months to dig the men out after they managed to attach paper message to a probe sent 2, 300ft below the surface to find them.

All alive: A poster of all 33 men made by relatives who have held a vigil at the San Jose mine since the collapse

The discovery of the miners yesterday sparked scenes of joy among relatives waiting at the surface since the August 5 accident at the small gold and copper works.

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