Two years ago, at least 259 people were killed in a dam break at an iron ore mine in Brumadinho. TÜV testers had previously confirmed the safety of the retention basin. The mayor of the small town demands consequences.
Brumadinho (dpa) – Two years after the devastating dam break at an iron ore mine in Brazil, the mayor of the hard-hit small town of Brumadinho has called for consequences.
«Our people have been crying out for justice for two years now. But the companies responsible for this crime tragedy have been largely protected, “said Avimar Barcelos, according to a statement from PGMBM, which represents the Brazilian city and the family of one of the victims.
On Thursday, according to the news agency “Agência Brasil”, another hearing on the negotiation of the main agreement on the compensation of the victims between the government of the state of Minas Gerais, in which Brumadinho is located, and the mining company Vale, which had operated the mine, ended without an agreement went. Accordingly, Vale has until January 29th to submit an offer that meets the state’s expectations. Otherwise it is up to a court to rule on the compensation.
The dam at the Córrego do Feijão mine broke on January 25, 2019. A mudslide rolled over parts of the facility and neighboring settlements near Brumadinho and buried people, houses and animals under itself. At least 259 people were killed in the accident. Another eleven people are still missing. Shortly before the dam broke, employees of the Brazilian subsidiary of TÜV Süd checked the retention basins and found them safe.
The Brazilian judiciary accepted the charges against the mining company Vale and the subsidiary of TÜV Süd and 16 employees of the two companies for murder in February. Tom Goodhead, partner at the law firm PGMBM, made TÜV Süd seriously accused of “still having blood on his hands”. TÜV Süd had agreed to cooperate with the authorities in dealing with the accident.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210124-99-147124 / 2
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