Trapped miners contact rescue teams

33 miners, who are trapped inside the Zapadnaya-Kapitalnaya mine, have contacted people on the surface, Kirill Zhitenev, spokesman for the Rostov regional governor, told RIA Novosti.

They are now preparing to lower the first cage for bringing the miners to the surface. However, this small cage will be raising 2-3 people at a time, rescue workers say.

We were contacted by 33 miners; only one of them doesn't feel well, Rostov territorial governor Vladimir Chub noted. The sick man will apparently be taken up ahead of others.

About 10 ambulances are staying at the scene.