Two Australian miners trapped a kilometer underground for six days were passed food and water through a narrow tube today as rescuers drilled through tonnes of fallen rock to reach them.
Contact was made with Todd Russell, 35, and Brant Webb, 36, yeterday, after rescuers heard them talking.
The men, trapped in a gold mine in the southern island state of Tasmania, were found huddled in a small metal cage.
They had survived on mineral-laced water since an earth tremor six days ago caused a rockfall inside the mine.
Rescuers had worked since yesterday drilling a 4-inch hole through fallen rock to reach the men and were able to insert a small plastic tube, through which biscuits, energy drinks and tablets were passed.
"The rescue has reached a very delicate stage," mine manager Matthew Gill told reporters. "We have established permanent contact with the two men and they have received some food and fresh water and they do remain in good spirits."
Church bells pealed around Beaconsfield yesterday after the news that the men had unexpectedly been found alive after rescuers found a third miner dead on Thursday.
"We must all hope the two men are safely brought to the surface," Prime Minister John Howard said on Monday.
Australian Workers' Union national secretary Bill Shorten said the rescue operation at the Beaconsfield Gold Mine, about 95 miles north of Hobart would be a slow and delicate process that could take about 48 hours.