A rescue team has successfully drilled into the chamber where 33 Chilean miners have been trapped 2,300 feet underground since Aug. 5. As celebrations occurred above, the miners prepared to end their 65-day ordeal as efforts to extract them are finalized. –JCL

The BBC:

Rescuers have drilled through to the underground chamber where 33 Chilean miners have been trapped since August.

The breakthrough at the San Jose mine came shortly after 0800 local time (1200 GMT), sparking celebrations.

It means efforts to remove the miners through the tunnel should begin within days.

The men were trapped when part of the mine collapsed on 5 August — their 65-day ordeal is the longest suffered by a group of miners caught underground.

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