A spokesperson for the village's fire department confirmed 30 injuries
and at least two deaths, according to Reuters. The number is likely to
rise as rescue efforts continue.
Samarco, a mining company jointly owned by Brazilian company Vale and Australian company BHP Billiton,
said in a statement Thursday on its website that two of its dams in
Minas Gerais ruptured during an iron ore operation, causing mudslides
and covering Bento Rodrigues, a village north of Mariana, in sludge.
Samarco said in a statement that it's "mobilizing every effort to
prioritize the care and integrity of the people who were working in or
living near the dams, in addition to actions to curb environmental
damage,” adding that the fire department, military police and civil
defense team have responded to the incident as part of its Emergency
Action Plan.
Samarco said it could not confirm the number of victims but notes that
those rescued are being treated at a hospital in Mariana and getting
assistance from teams at a Mariana gym.
Samarco said in a Facebook post today that it has placed 70 families -- a
total of 253 people -- in hotels, provided 3,800 meals and snacks,
handed out 10,000 bottles of water and delivered 600 emergency kits
containing sheets, towels, blankets and personal hygiene materials.
Samarco said it will investigate the incident.
The company has four dams that it said were inspected in July and were
confirmed to be safe. The dams are composed mostly of sand from iron ore
processing that the company said “presents no chemical that is harmful
to health.”
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