Six men  have been trapped in a mine for seventeen hours.if they are not brought to the surface soon they may lose their lives.However, rescue operations are proving difficult.If exploysives are used,the vibrations will cause the roof of the mine collapse..rescue workers are therefore drilling a hold no the north side of the mine.they intent to bring the men up in a special capsule.if there had not been a hard layer of the rock beneath the soil, they would have completed the job in a few hours.AS it is, they have been drilling for sixtheen hours and they still have a long way to go.Meanwhile, a microphone,which was lowered into the mine two hours ago,has enabled the men to keep in touch with their closest relatives.though they are running out of the food and dirnk.the men are cheerful and confident that they will get out soon.they have been told that rescue operations are progressing smoothly.if they knew how difficult it was to drill through the hard rock. they would lose heart.