The miners’ health situation is “pretty good,” the minister said. “We have had very, very minor problems.”
The first two miners rescued were taken to Copiapo Hospital, he said, where they were evaluated by specialists including ophthalmologists and dermatologists and given chest X-rays.
“Their recuperation process is going quite well and according to the schedule,” he said.
Other rescued miners were at different stages in that process, he said, with some spending time in a meeting room with relatives before being flown to the hospital.
Chilean army nurses were in the mine, evaluating the miners and helping them prepare for their trip to the surface, Manalich said.
“They have an anemic condition, and right now they have been sleeping less these last few days. They’re tired, and they still have long hours of waiting in order to be able to come up to the surface and to meet with their families.”
The reunions with those brought to the surface with their families have been “very emotional,” he said, and “they are very happy, very grateful for all they’ve been able to experience together during this rescue process.”
The miners are showing slight increases in blood pressure and cardiac activity during the trip, but have recovered satisfactorily after a few minutes of rest and have not required medication, he said. “I think things are going better than we thought.”
