Miners trapped deep underground in Chile have been contacted by four survivors of a famous 1972 plane crash in the Andes mountains.
Speaking to the 33 miners on video link, the four Uruguayan survivors said they brought a message of hope to the miners and their families.
They were among a group of 16 who endured extreme conditions for 72 days before being rescued in Chile.
The miners have now been stuck 2,300ft (700m) underground for a month.
They must now wait two to four months for engineers to drill an escape shaft.
'They will survive'The Uruguayan survivors met relatives of the trapped miners at the San Jose mine before speaking to the miners via video.
They said they had come to show their solidarity with the miners, as will as to express their thanks to Chile for rescuing them 38 years ago.
And they said they were confident the miners would come out alive.
"In the same way we were able to get off the mountain and lead normal lives, they too will get out and lead fantastic lives," said Pedro Algorta, one of the plane crash survivors.
"Look at us, 38 years after we crashed, 16 of us who were rescued are still alive. It is proof that man can survive the most difficult situations and they will survive. The worst is already over".
BBC News
