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Trapped miners given food, water...and iPods

Michelle Meyers
Michelle Meyers wrote and edited CNET News stories from 2005 to 2020 and is now a contributor to CNET.
Michelle Meyers

Rescuers are making sure two trapped gold miners in Tasmania, Australia are well equipped with the basic necessities--food, water, and iPods.

The men have been trapped in a tiny cage more than half a mile underground since April 25, when a small earthquake triggered a cave-in that killed another miner, according to the Associated Press.

Rescuers had been using explosives to blast a tunnel toward the miners, but stopped fearing another cave-in, the story said. Instead, they will bore towards the men, but only after concrete poured to anchor a huge drill has dried.

The iPods, which were passed along with food, water, notes, drawings through a tube, are meant to help them pass the time, the story said. A union representative also believes they were passed toothpaste and deodorant.