Most trapped Canadian miners rescued after two days - BBC News

Thirty-three miners trapped deep underground in eastern Canada have been brought to the surface, two days after an accident damaged the mine's lift.

The workers at the Totten mine in Sudbury, Ontario climbed about 4,000ft (1.2km) using a series of ladders, with the support of a rescue team.

The rescued miners were in good health, according to Vale, the company responsible for the mine.

A further six miners are still completing the climb.

They are expected to reach the surface on Tuesday.

The miners had been trapped since Sunday when the lift system became inoperable after a heavy scoop bucket crashed into it and blocked the shaft, Vale said.

After the incident, the miners proceeded to refuge stations, where they had access to food and water, and remained in contact with their families and staff outside the mine.

The workers are using a secondary ladder system to leave the mine, with rest stops along the way. Vale, a Brazilian firm, said the rescued miners were "all healthy and eager to go home".

Earlier, Shawn Rideout, chief mine rescue officer from Ontario Mine Rescue, said the ascent could take up to 10 hours for workers to complete.

Totten mine employs about 200 people to produce copper, nickel and precious metals...BBC