At least 11 people are dead and about 300 missing after a Brazil dam collapse causes a devastating environmental catastrophe.
The break in the tailings dam belonging to Brazil’s Vale, the world’s largest iron ore producer, caused a sea of muddy sludge that buried the dam’s cafeteria where workers were eating lunch on Friday.
Vale said sludge from the breach at its Feijão iron ore mine spilled into its administrative facilities and the nearby community of Vila Ferteco, releasing a wave of red iron ore waste and causing the worst environmental catastrophe in the country’s recent history.
Vale’s chief executive, Fabio Schvartsman, said on Friday that one dam containing iron ore waste – known as tailings – had failed and another overflowed. Most of those who are missing are employees of the company, and members of the nearby community.
Rescue teams used earth-moving machinery at the site near the town of Brumadinho, in Minas Gerais state.
State governor Romeu Zema said there was little chance of finding people alive. So far 11 people have been confirmed dead.
“We know now that the chances of having survivors are minimal and that we will probably rescue bodies,” he said.
The fire chief Col Edgar Estevão said 100 people had been rescued from the sea of mud released by the dam, according to the G1 news site, with the fire brigade estimating that 300-350 people were missing.
Photos taken in the immediate aftermath show the rooftops of buildings above fields of sludge.
