CHILE: Familia Bustos demanda en la corte a la minera y a los oficiales del estado que lo mantiene atrapado
26 August 2010 Last updated at 22:48
The family accuse the owners the San Jose mine of safety lapses and officials of negligently allowing it to reopen in 2008 following an accident.
The miners were earlier told they might not be rescued for several months.
Health Minister Jaime Manalich said the miners, trapped some 700m (2,300ft) beneath the surface near the northern city of Copiapo since 5 August, had reacted calmly, according to the AFP news agency.
Investigation
"I'm thinking of holding people responsible. Not only the mine's owners but also people who didn't do their job" checking the safety of the mine, she added.
"Now is not the the time to take the blame nor to ask for pardon," Mr Bohn said.
The judge who ordered San Esteban Mining's assets frozen said he was doing so as a precautionary measure, in case the firm has to pay compensation.
Chile's Congress is investigating the accident and President Sebastian Pinera has vowed to punish anyone found to be responsible for what happened.
Fitness programme Officials had delayed breaking the news of the long-term rescue out of concern for the miners' mental well-being.
Authorities have been explaining how they intend to keep the men in good physical and mental health while a shaft is drilled to rescue them from their refuge in the mine.
BBC NEWS
Trapped Chile miner's family sues owners and officials
The family of one of 33 miners trapped underground in Chile is suing the mine owners and government inspectors.
Amid the lawsuit announcement, a judge ordered $1.8m (£1.2m) of the mine's assets frozen to cover possible compensation costs.The family accuse the owners the San Jose mine of safety lapses and officials of negligently allowing it to reopen in 2008 following an accident.
The miners were earlier told they might not be rescued for several months.
Health Minister Jaime Manalich said the miners, trapped some 700m (2,300ft) beneath the surface near the northern city of Copiapo since 5 August, had reacted calmly, according to the AFP news agency.
Investigation
Remberto Valdes, a lawyer representing the family of miner Raul Bustos, told the BBC that the criminal action by Mr Bustos's family sought specifically to see the mine owners and government inspectors condemned for their alleged responsibility.
"I'm not thinking of monetary compensation," said Carolina Narvaez, the wife of Mr Bustos, according to AFP."I'm thinking of holding people responsible. Not only the mine's owners but also people who didn't do their job" checking the safety of the mine, she added.
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“Start Quote
End Quote Alejandro Bohn San Esteban MiningNow is not the the time to take the blame nor to ask for pardon”
Inspectors from Chile's National Geology and Mine Service - known as Sernageomin - have been named in the case because they authorised the mine to reopen in 2008, a year after it was shut following an accident.
The owners of the San Esteban Mining company which operates the San Jose mine, Alejandro Bohn and Marcelo Kemeny, have denied any responsibility for the accident."Now is not the the time to take the blame nor to ask for pardon," Mr Bohn said.
The judge who ordered San Esteban Mining's assets frozen said he was doing so as a precautionary measure, in case the firm has to pay compensation.
Chile's Congress is investigating the accident and President Sebastian Pinera has vowed to punish anyone found to be responsible for what happened.
Fitness programme Officials had delayed breaking the news of the long-term rescue out of concern for the miners' mental well-being.
Authorities have been explaining how they intend to keep the men in good physical and mental health while a shaft is drilled to rescue them from their refuge in the mine.
BBC NEWS
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