Amazing

In what has been described as a miracle, two miners trapped nearly a kilometre underground for more than five days have been discovered alive.

Just after 7.30pm (AEST) tonight, the Beaconsfield Gold Mine company said Todd Russell, 35, and Brant Webb, 36, had been located and "indications are they are still alive''.

Their workmate, 44-year-old Larry Knight, was killed when an earthquake on Tuesday night caused a rockfall, trapping the three men underground.

Mr Knight's body was retrieved on Thursday.

The news of the two men's survival spread quickly through the small town of 1000 near Launceston, with many rushing to the mine site.

Apparently they have talked to them via a microphone they put in through a bore hole, and they're unharmed (though lack of water/food and the heat are definitely going to be factors).

They probably won't be out till at least tomorrow, the tunnel has to be finished and it would also then depend on where they are in relation to the new tunnel opening, and apparently they're still in the cherry picker cage which is wedged under a rock slab. But fingers crossed.

Most amazing news, I saw the headline scrolling across the bottom of 60 Minutes, and shouted, "they found the miners alive," to the rest of the family. Been watching the newsbreaks all night. And been teary.

But some reporters ought to be shot for stupidity. 9 were talking about wouldn't it be great if they walked out to see all the people waiting. Ummmm...they've been in a confined space for 5 days without water and food. I don't think walking is going to be high on their agenda.

And then there was the lovely quote about how everything had turned 360 since earlier in the day...I don't think he meant they were back where they started.

Amazing

In what has been described as a miracle, two miners trapped nearly a kilometre underground for more than five days have been discovered alive.

Just after 7.30pm (AEST) tonight, the Beaconsfield Gold Mine company said Todd Russell, 35, and Brant Webb, 36, had been located and "indications are they are still alive''.

Their workmate, 44-year-old Larry Knight, was killed when an earthquake on Tuesday night caused a rockfall, trapping the three men underground.

Mr Knight's body was retrieved on Thursday.

The news of the two men's survival spread quickly through the small town of 1000 near Launceston, with many rushing to the mine site.

Apparently they have talked to them via a microphone they put in through a bore hole, and they're unharmed (though lack of water/food and the heat are definitely going to be factors).

They probably won't be out till at least tomorrow, the tunnel has to be finished and it would also then depend on where they are in relation to the new tunnel opening, and apparently they're still in the cherry picker cage which is wedged under a rock slab. But fingers crossed.

Most amazing news, I saw the headline scrolling across the bottom of 60 Minutes, and shouted, "they found the miners alive," to the rest of the family. Been watching the newsbreaks all night. And been teary.

But some reporters ought to be shot for stupidity. 9 were talking about wouldn't it be great if they walked out to see all the people waiting. Ummmm...they've been in a confined space for 5 days without water and food. I don't think walking is going to be high on their agenda.

And then there was the lovely quote about how everything had turned 360 since earlier in the day...I don't think he meant they were back where they started.