Miners pass dirty joke as Pope passes rosary beads

Relevant offers

Americas

Indians sue beer companies sued for alcohol problems Argentina slams British 'militarisation' 27pc of terror suspects rejoin fight - report Derailed train ploughs into homes, cars Thrill killing US teen apologises, gets life Rescued dog bites TV host during broadcast Outrage over underwear-clad boy in snow Santorum claims momentum with upset wins Rick Santorum wins Missouri primary Argentina heads to United Nations over UK action

Contact between 33 Chilean miners trapped for weeks underground and the outside world took an irreverent twist on Thursday, as the men passed dirty jokes to the surface - and the Pope sent down blessed rosaries.

The miners have been stuck in a tunnel 700 metres below ground for nearly a month after a cave-in, and face another two to four months in isolation as engineers drill a narrow escape shaft in one of the world's most challenging rescue operations.

Chile's government has brought in a team of Nasa experts to help keep the men mentally and physically fit for the wait ahead, but while the miners lost an estimated 10kg each during the 17 days before they were found alive, they are in remarkably good health.

"They have faced this enormous challenge with such strength, discipline and faith,'' said Chilean Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz, who visited the mine head on Thursday to hold a mass, and then sent rosaries blessed by Pope Benedict down to them.

The men are also facing the ordeal with humour.

Rescuers are sending food, medicine and letters from relatives to the men in narrow plastic tubes through a chute the diameter of a grapefruit. The miners have been sending back replies - and a dirty "joke of the day''.

Health Minister Jaime Manalich blushed at one of the jokes, writing it on a piece of paper to show reporters rather then be caught saying it on tape. Relatives are sending jokes back, and rescue workers are chiming in.

While initial video footage the men took on a hand-held camera last week showed them bearded, shirtless and clearly thinner, new images showed them clean-shaven and wearing new clothes.

The miners are setting up a makeshift booth to hold private video conversations with relatives - and have been sent soccer videos and miniature projectors to help pass the time.

Rescuers have drilled down 41m so far, around 5 percent of the overall target distance, and are looking at other options to try and get the men out faster. They are stopping periodically to reinforce the walls of the shaft.

President Sebastian Pinera has called on navy shipbuilders to build a special cage that will be used to hoist the men one up at a time through the escape shaft, which will be just 66cm in diameter.

- Reuters