Chile's Health Minister has stated that some of the newly-rescued miners are in a "delicate" psychological situation following their 70-day ordeal trapped deep in the belly of the mountain.
The Minister, Jaime Manalich, explained that although the miners' situation was much better than expected, the idea of them returning to normal life straight away was highly unlikely.
"At this time, there are various men who are in a delicate situation from an emotional point of view. To think that in one more week these men will be back to a normal, calm life, I believe that the least likely scenario," said Manalich.
One miner is said to be suffering from pneumonia and others need dental treatment, but no serious physical problems have been reported.
"They are going to have a very hard time from the psychological point of view," said Manalich.
Manalich also tackled the difficult question of compensation for men, who suffered life in a hot, dark and confined space for almost two months, not knowing if they would ever get out.
"They have kept their salaries and the workers compensation pack (package) for all the time they have spent at the bottom of the mine and (it) is already arranged that they are going to keep their salaries for at least one extra month and obviously in those guys whose health conditions justify it they're going to keep this compensation for a longer period of time," said Manalich.
Three of the miners were discharged from the hospital on Thursday. Doctors have said many more would be released later on Friday.
