(CNN) -- The 33 workers trapped inside a mine in Chile cheered, applauded and sang the country's national anthem in their first verbal contact with officials.
Several of Chile's top officials gathered around a white telephone outside the mine Monday evening as the miners' voices crackled through the speakers in an emotional conversation that was also broadcast on television.
"We are listening all of us, strong and clear. Who's speaking?...How are you doing?" said Mining Minister Laurence Golborne, according to CNN Chile.
Miner Luiz Urzua responded: "We are well and hoping that you will rescue us".
The miners cheered as officials informed them that their family members had been keeping vigil outside the mine, CNN Chile reported. The San Esteban mine is near the town of Copiapo, in the Atacama region in northern Chile.
"Yesterday, all of Chile celebrated in all the plazas of the country that we had made contact with you. Today they are going to be even happier that we have spoken," Golborne said.
The miners survived for more than 17 days by sharing small amounts of tuna and mackerel that were in a shelter, along with water, President Sebastian Pinera told CNN en Espanol on Monday.
"They had very little food," he said. "They told us they ate tuna and mackerel every other day, and that they shared ... a jar of peaches among the 33". CNN
