In Brazil, 21 people charged with homicide for collapsed dam

The Federal Prosecution Service charged 21 people with murder due to the burst of a mining dam in Bento Rodrigues, a rural village in Mariana (in Minas Gerais state), in November last year.

Four companies were also reported: Samarco mining company, responsible for the dam; its shareholders Vale and BHP Billiton; and VogBR, the consultancy that signed the stability certificate of the collapsed dam.

There are among the people charged with the crime some employees of Samarco, responsible for the dam: Ricardo Vescovi, suspended CEO of the company; Kleber Luiz Terra, suspended Director of Operations and Infrastructure; three managers and 11 of the Board of Directors. They were all  charged with having caused the burst, landslides, severe personal injury and murder. Engineer Samuel Loures and VogBR company were accused of issuing misleading report on the dam stability.

According to prosecutors, Samarco mining company was driven by greed in the search of profit, which led to the tragedy. The dam burst has caused the death of 19 people, and a large volume of toxic sludge spread into Rio Doce Basin, causing its pollution and devastating the native vegetation. The tragedy is considered the greatest environmental disaster in Brazil.

The Federal Prosecution Service also seeks compensation for damages caused to the victims. According to prosecutors, the values shall be set by the court during evidenciary stage.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta