Prosecutor Denounces Former Vale President & 15 Others on Homicide Charges in Brumadinho

The mining company and Germany's Tüv Süd have been indicted for environmental crimes, as have the others accused

Belo Horizonte

The Minas Gerais Public Prosecutor's Office denounced 16 people on charges of aggravated first-degree murder - when there is an intention to commit a crime - for the rupture of the B1 dam, in Córrego do Feijão, which occurred on January 25, 2019.

The prosecution claims the people committed the crimes through a common danger. An undetermined number of people were exposed to the risk of being hit by the mud, and by means of an appeal that made it impossible or difficult to defend the victims.

The disaster in Brumadinho (MG) left 270 dead - 259 already identified and 11 still missing. Relatives of the victims count 272 deaths, including two babies who were still in their mothers' bellies.

The rupture of the dam dumped 9.7 million cubic meters of mining waste (Alexandre Rezende/Folhapress COTIDIANO) - Folhapress

Among the 16 denounced is the former CEO of Vale, Fabio Schvartsman, as well as 11 other employees of the mining company and five of the German Tüv Süd.

The companies Vale and Tüv Süd were denounced for environmental crimes, as well as the other defendants. The crimes pointed out were against fauna, flora, and pollution crime.

The rupture of the dam dumped 9.7 million cubic meters of mining waste, destroying communities and reaching the Paraopeba river, says the MPMG. The mud killed species of wild and aquatic fauna, destroyed nests, shelters, and natural breeding sites and forests considered permanent preservation, among other damages.

Translated by Kiratiana Freelon

Read the article in the original language