Humor V

onifre writes:Worse. News. Ever

Tensions meanwhile are rising above ground as wives and mistresses of the 33 miners trapped deep within the San Jose mine make rival claims for compensation.Authorities at Camp Hope have had to deal with a rush of women coming forward claiming to be first in the Chilean miners' affections in order to receive government handouts.At least five wives have been forced to come face to face with mistresses whose existence was kept from them by their husbands, who have been trapped more than 2,300ft below since a cave-in on August 5.One miner has four women fighting over him in an effort to claim compensation offered to the families of those facing months underground before a rescue shaft can reach them.Government officials are considering asking the miners to name those they want to claim the benefits entitled to them in a bid to solve problems on the surface."There has been a lot of conflict between women," admitted Marta Flores a Red Cross worker at the makeshift camp where relatives wait for news of their loved ones."We had a big bust up in the canteen tent when a wife came across a woman who claimed to be her husband's lover — we had to step in and pull them apart before things got physical." At stake are welfare packages issued to the families of the trapped miners as well as future compensation claims that could run into tens of thousands of pounds."Unfortunately the conflict stems from money issues," said Mrs Flores. "Some of the men have children from numerous women and all of them have arrived here to stake their claim. I've met five families in this situation but I'm sure there are more."Some women turned up at the camp to discover that their partners already had a wife and children who they knew nothing about."Those that truly love their men have slipped away quietly not wanting to cause any more pain to the families but others are putting up a fight." Special welfare officers trained in marital issues have been brought in to provide help to women faced with their husband's infidelity.One miner, who has not been named, has a first wife he never divorced, his live-in partner, a mother of a child he had several years ago, and a woman who claims to be his current girlfriend all visiting the camp."It's a logistical nightmare trying to keep them apart and of course they all want to send messages," said Mrs Flores.The team of psychologists charged with ensuring the mental welfare of the men below ground are attempting keep such developments from the miners.The men have reportedly settled into a routine where they wake up at 7.30am, have breakfast and report to the medical unit via intercom. They have a group meeting after lunch and then they read and write letters. Dinner is at 8pm and they go to sleep at 11pm.