Brazil: Landslide kills at least 17 people

(Baonghean.vn) - At least 17 people were killed, more than 40 people are missing and more than 50 others were injured when a landslide submerged a town in Minas Gerais state, southeastern Brazil on November 5.

The landslide occurred at around 4:20 p.m. local time between the towns of Ouro Preto and Mariana. Local authorities said the Fundao mining dam burst as the main cause of the horrific landslide in Minas Gerais state.

The area where the landslide occurred in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Photo: Google Maps.

According to images broadcast on Globo program, an entire valley area stretching about 2 km, home to 600 residents, was submerged under a thick layer of red mud. In some areas, the red mud even reached the roof.

Authorities said at least 17 people were killed and more than 40 others were missing after the landslide. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams said there was “almost no chance of finding survivors in the mud”. More than 50 injured people were sent to Mariana Hospital and the town of Santa Rita Durao for treatment.

It is worth mentioning that the mud and soil that spilled from the Fundao dam are considered to be “environmentally hazardous mud and waste”. In addition, it is very difficult for rescue teams to access the scene due to the large amount of mud and soil blocking the way. The cause of the Fundao dam collapse is still unknown.

It is known that the people in the affected area are mainly employees of the Samarco mining company, a member of the Brazilian Vale group, and Australia's BHP Billiton. And the landslide area has been a mining center of Brazil since the 16th century.

Chu Thanh

(According to Le Monde)