Dynamite News
Brazil Dam Collapse: Death toll rises to 224
The number of people killed in the collapse of a dam, belonging to the Vale company, in the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais' Brumadinho municipality has grown to 224.
Brasilia: The number of people killed in the collapse of a dam, belonging to the Vale company, in the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais' Brumadinho municipality has grown to 224.
Previous reports suggested that 217 people had been killed in the incident, G1 news outlet reported, citing local civil defense forces. According to the recent figures, 69 individuals are still reported missing.
A tailing dam at Vale's Corrego do Feijao mine in the Brumadinho municipality collapsed on January 25, triggering heavy mud floods that caused multiple fatalities and injuries. Search and rescue operation continues.
A similar disaster had occurred in 2015 when an iron ore tailings dam in Mariana, Minas Gerais, Brazil, suffered a catastrophic failure, resulting in flooding that destroyed the village of Bento Rodrigues and killed 19 people.
Two months after the tragedy in Mariana, while authorities were still trying to control the spread of mud, the state passed a new law, enabling “fast-track” licences. This made it easier - not harder - for companies to acquire permits to mine in areas of environmental concern.
In Brazil, and particularly in the mineral-rich state of Minas Gerais, mining lobbyists wield huge amounts of influence and power. (UNI)