iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Rescuers are searching for dozens of missing people after a dam collapse buried a small Brazilian village in mud.
A few deaths have been reported and dozens are said to be injured. 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 Friday 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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