Toll tipped to rise in mine waste disaster
The death toll from the collapse of a dam holding back mine waste in southeastern Brazil rose to 34 yesterday as searchers flying in helicopters and rescuers laboring in deep mud uncovered more bodies. An estimated 300 people were still missing and authorities expected the death toll to rise during a search made more challenging by intermittent rains.
Romeu Zema, the governor of the state of Minas Gerais, warned that those responsible ‘‘would be punished.’’
Daily Folha de S.Paulo reported yesterday that the dam’s mining complex, owned and operated by Brazilian mining company Vale, was issued an expedited license to expand in December due to ‘‘decreased risk.’’
Preservation groups in the area say the approval was unlawful. In addition to the 34 bodies recovered as of yesterday afternoon, 23 people were hospitalised, said authorities with the Minas Gerais fire department.
There had been some signs of hope earlier yesterday when authorities found 43 more people alive.
Company officials also had said that 100 workers were accounted for.
But the company said in a statement later that 251 workers were still missing, while fire officials estimated 296 were still unaccounted for.
Scores of families in the city desperately awaited word on their loved ones. For many, hope was fading to anguish.
‘‘I don’t think he is alive,’’ said Joao Bosco, speaking of his cousin, Jorge Luis Ferreira, who worked for Vale. ‘‘Right now I can only hope for a miracle of God.’’
Israel was sending a mission to help with rescue operations and provide aid, according to a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
Netanyahu made the help offer during a call with President Jair Bolsonaro, who has been an enthusiastic ally of Israel. Bolsonaro, who assumed office on January 1, did a flyover yesterday of the area affected by the dam collapse.