The miners rescued after 69 days trapped underground in Chile have become the targets of anti-government protesters.
Demonstrators threw fruit and stones at the group as they commemorated the first anniversary of the accident, accusing them of being ungrateful and cashing in on their fame.
Most of the 33 men rescued last October joined President Sebastian Pinera along with his ministers at a Catholic Mass and the inauguration of a museum about their rescue. But scuffles between riot police and students, teachers, environmentalists and other miners marred the events.
The activists were protesting over a number of issues, including pay and education, and accused the miners of being too close to Pinera’s government.
Some also claimed they were trying to get rich with the £10 million lawsuit launched by 31 of them against Chile’s mine regulator, which they accuse of failing to enforce safety requirements.
Omar Reygadas, one of those rescued after part of the San Jose mine in Chile’s Atacama desert collapsed on August 5 last year, was among those at the events. His son said: “My father was deeply saddened. He doesn’t understand how people could act this way.”
Pinera’s popularity has plunged recently, with a growing wave of protests hitting Chile. - Daily Mail