14 Oct 2010

Chile miners ‘could leave hospital early’

Exclusive: as officials say some of the 33 freed Chile miners could be allowed to leave hospital soon, Channel 4 News screens the first British televised interview with one of them.

Just as they were brought up from the mine two months earlier than initially expected, the 33 men could leave hospital early after receiving a generally clean bill of health.

Doctors originally said the men would stay at the hospital in the northern city of Copiapo for two days, but Health Minister Jaime Manalich said those prepared to leave earlier will be released to their families.

“I came close to God. I did not surrender to death.” Richard Villarroel

“The two days that were said at the beginning – that is the standard,” Mr Manalich said.

“But the medical discharge is a personal discretion and depends on the attending physician. And we hope that some of them can be discharged before 48 hours, specifically this afternoon.”

Most of the miners were found to be in decent health despite being stuck in a collapsed mine tunnel more than 2,000 feet below ground since August 5.

Pneumonia
One of the miners had pneumonia and was being treated with antibiotics.

Mr Manalich added: “The problems we have found have been perfectly treated until now.

“Three miners got dental surgery yesterday, and another two or three are going to receive the same treatment today.

“Two of those men are under general anaesthetic. Regarding the skin infections, they are behaving in a very good shape,” he added.

First interview
On Channel 4 News, in the first interview to be shown in the UK with one of the miners, Richard Villarroel, said that, despite the lack of food during their captivity they had never discussed cannibalism.

“We were waiting for death,” he said. “Our bodies were consuming themselves. I was getting skinnier every day. I lost 12 kilos.

“I was afraid I would never see my child again.

“We could do nothing else but pray. I have never prayed before. I learned how to do it down there. I came close to God. I did not surrender to death.”

President’s football challenge
The Chilean President, Sebastian Pinera, visited the men in hospital – challenging them to a football match on October 25.

The team of miners, among them former professional player Franklin Lobos, will play a team from the presidential palace.

“The team that wins goes to the Moneda and the team that loses goes to the mine.” President Sebastian Pinera

Mr Pinera joked: “This is not only a football match but a compromise.

“The team that wins goes to the Moneda and the team that loses goes to the mine.”

Rescue cost
He revealed that the cost of the rescue operations had been US$10-20 million (£6.2-12.5m).

Mr Pinera added that the government would send the final bill to the company which runs the San Jose mine.

The miners were all freed after a 24-hour rescue mission which ended this morning.

The final miner, shift supervisor Luis Urzua, reached the surface to rapturous applause at around 2am British Standard Time.

Rescuers held up a “mission accomplished” sign as the operation to free the 33 miners reached a close.

Return
The rescue operation has captivated the globe. The group became stranded around 625 metres underground on August 5, when part of the mine collapsed, and for 17 days they were feared dead.

They were then reached, contacted and filmed – and have now become world record holders for the longest time survived underground after a mining accident.

All 33 were saved in a 24 hour rescue operation which seemed to pass without incident. The miners were transported to the surface in an extremely narrow rescue capsule which was winched up a specially drilled rescue shaft.