Family feuds and domestic bust-ups are this weekend extending the drama of the 33 Chilean miners who emerged safe from their underground prison last week.

With one in five people around the world said to have tuned in to the rescue, events above ground seem as likely to captivate as anything that happened below.

"He is dead to me," announced the sister of survivor Claudio Yanez, following his bitter row with relatives over who should have organised his welcome home party.

Yanez (34) was incensed that his partner – to whom he had proposed while trapped hundreds of metres below the earth's surface – was not the one to arrange the festivities.

His enraged family members, disowning their hero miner, tore up welcome home posters and messages that should have marked one of numerous parties held across the country.

Albert Iturra, a psychologist appointed to the team, told families they should be patient, but in this hotbed of South American passion, patience seems in short supply.

Florencio Avalos, the first evacuee, was said to be vetoing a family celebration after a falling out with his father who gave media interviews during his son's ordeal.

Elsewhere, two-timing Yonni Barrios, whose rescue was witnessed by both wife and mistress, was labeled "crazy and cocky" by his spouse, who refused to visit him in hospital.

Despite the simmering tensions, an extended period of captivity among "Los 33" has forged unbreakable bonds and prompted vows that none will discuss the negative details of the 69-day ordeal.

"What happens in the mine stays in the mine," announced 48-year-old Dario Segovia as rumours leaked out of fist fights and hostilities in the days after the mine collapsed.

That may be a promise difficult to keep with interview deals already being ironed out – some arrangements are said to involve fees of up to $20,000 (€14,000).

According to Chilean health minister Jaime Manalich, the men will be monitored for the next six months as they attempt to overcome the experience and come to terms with the world's attention.