Mistresses, Wives Clash Over Chilean Miners

Officials trying to sort out rival claims for compensation
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 3, 2010 3:42 AM CDT
Mistresses, Wives Clash Over Chilean Miners
Relatives of trapped miners wave a Chilean flag outside the San Jose mine in Copiapo, Chile. Thirty-three miners have been trapped in the mine since it collapsed Aug. 5.   (AP Photo/ Roberto Candia)

If those 33 trapped Chilean miners make it to the surface safely, some of them may end up wishing they'd stayed underground. Officials at the camp where families have gathered say at least five miners' wives have encountered surprise mistresses. Ugly scenes have ensued as women clash over compensation packages, the Telegraph reports.

One miner has a first wife he never divorced, a live-in partner, a mother of a child he had several years ago, and a woman who says she is his current girlfriend. All are holding vigil at the camp. "It's a logistical nightmare trying to keep them apart—and of course they all want to send messages," said a Red Cross worker. Officials are considering asking the miners whom they would like to claim the compensation, although they are trying to avoid raising the men's stress levels by letting them know too much about the dramas happening above ground. (More Chile stories.)

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