The rescue of miners trapped deep underground in a mine in the Chilean desert has resumed after is was interrupted this morning for repairs to the rescue capsule.

The capsule was removed from the shaft at about 9.10 a.m. after five of the 33 miners were brought to the surface and three rescuers were lowered to the chamber where the miners have been trapped since August.

Technicians worked on the springs of one of the rollers on the side of the capsule.

The capsule slides down a shaft which is only partly lined with metal bars. On the journey down it also needs to negotiate a slight bend before going down vertically.

The rescuers have two spare capsules.

The capsule was lowered back in the shaft at 10 a.m.

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