Prayers And Miracles

The trapped miners in Tasmania still need both.

TWO Tasmanian gold miners have survived five days trapped in a cage nearly a kilometre underground in what their families and colleagues say is nothing short of a miracle.

The news that Todd Russell, 35, and Brant Webb, 37, survived the rockfall that killed their mate at the Beaconsfield Gold Mine swept through the small town near Launceston just before 7pm (AEST) last night.

Locals erupted in cheers and applause as family members rushed to the mine site to join hundreds of people who had gathered there, many vowing not to leave until the men draw breath on the surface.

Last night, just 12 metres separated the men from their rescuers, who were digging a second tunnel to get them out.

But progress will now be slow because they are too close to use explosives which could injure the pair, or trigger another rockfall.

-- Nora