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At least 15 dead after Brazil iron mine dam bursts and floods nearby homes At least 15 dead after Brazil iron mine dam bursts and floods nearby homes
(35 minutes later)
A dam has burst at an iron ore mine in south-eastern Brazil, killing at least 15 people, submerging nearby homes and burying vehicles.A dam has burst at an iron ore mine in south-eastern Brazil, killing at least 15 people, submerging nearby homes and burying vehicles.
Forty-five people were still missing after the disaster in Minas Gerais state, a local union told the G1 news portal.Forty-five people were still missing after the disaster in Minas Gerais state, a local union told the G1 news portal.
#BreakingNews Dam break leaves at least 10 deaths in Mariana (MG,BRAZIL) More on https://t.co/EAsIHuEfVd pic.twitter.com/0abUfDCfNP
Video footage on the G1 website showed houses of a village destroyed by muddy tailings waters that surged down valleys in the hilly region of the mines.Video footage on the G1 website showed houses of a village destroyed by muddy tailings waters that surged down valleys in the hilly region of the mines.
There was no official confirmation on the number of dead and missing.There was no official confirmation on the number of dead and missing.
The mining company Samarco, a joint venture between Brazil’s Vale and Australia’s BHP, said in a statement it had not yet determined why the dam burst or the extent of the disaster at its Germano mine near the town of Mariana.
Vale directed media questions to Samarco, while BHP did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Authorities said the dam was built to hold back water and residue from mining operations, a mixture that can often be toxic.Authorities said the dam was built to hold back water and residue from mining operations, a mixture that can often be toxic.
Rescue teams were searching for survivors or bodies, and residents living nearby were told to evacuate to higher ground.Rescue teams were searching for survivors or bodies, and residents living nearby were told to evacuate to higher ground.
The Samarco mining company said in a statement on its website that it was making “every effort to prioritize care to people and mitigate damage to the environment”. Samarco said in a statement on its website that it was making “every effort to prioritize care to people and mitigate damage to the environment”.
“It is not possible at this moment to confirm a cause … nor if there are victims,” it added.“It is not possible at this moment to confirm a cause … nor if there are victims,” it added.
Samarco is a joint venture between BHP Billiton Ltd and the Brazilian company Vale SA.
Police, firefighters and city officials also said they could not confirm any victims.Police, firefighters and city officials also said they could not confirm any victims.
A statement from the city hall of Mariana, a city of about 40,000 people 300km (185 miles) north of Rio de Janeiro, said the dam ruptured at 4.20pm in an area roughly 20km from the city center.A statement from the city hall of Mariana, a city of about 40,000 people 300km (185 miles) north of Rio de Janeiro, said the dam ruptured at 4.20pm in an area roughly 20km from the city center.