Per the Governor-- Next is to work on lowering a rescue chamber. The work to locate them down there, that they had thought they would need to do, will not be necessary-- they are right on target with the shaft they drilled.

The Rescue Chief/spokesperson is saying that they got through a little sooner than they had anticipated, and heard taps immediately... they shut down all movement to listen... water levels had dropped fast enough to make communication efforts technologically possible... it sounds like it was a two-way conversation with the miners. They are reminding us that many risks remain, for the miners as well as the rescuers... it's an unlined, unstable shaft they will use to lower a rescue basket and drag it back up again... they are readying a second shaft should it be needed... they will be sending down provisions and blankets, first, as soon as possible, so the men get supplies to hold them as long as it takes to slowly bring them up.

~S~