Skip to main content

Brazil police recommend homicide, environmental charges in Vale dam disaster

An activists covered in mud poses with a sign that reads "Vale assassin" during a demonstration on the front steps of Sao Paulo's Cathedral, Brazil, Friday, Feb. 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano) An activists covered in mud poses with a sign that reads "Vale assassin" during a demonstration on the front steps of Sao Paulo's Cathedral, Brazil, Friday, Feb. 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)
Share
RIO DE JANEIRO -

Brazilian police have recommended multiple criminal charges against miner Vale SA and Germany's TUV SUD for their role in a 2019 dam burst that killed 270 people and caused extensive environmental damage, according to a statement on Friday.

The federal police probe, one of several parallel investigations into the incident that ravaged communities in the state of Minas Gerais, indicated that "various pollution-related crimes" were committed, as well as crimes "against land and water-based fauna and flora."

The police also recommended charges, including homicide, against 19 people who worked for Vale, which owned the dam, and TUV SUD, which was responsible for inspecting the structure.

Minas Gerais state prosecutors filed murder charges against 16 people in 2020, though state authorities have been mired in a longstanding dispute with federal prosecutors over jurisdiction.

Federal prosecutors will now examine the recommendations of the federal police and determine whether they will bring the charges recommended.

Vale and TUV SUD did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside normal business hours.

The federal police concluded a separate probe into the disaster in 2019, which focused on false statements presented to regulators.

The company in February reached a 37.7 billion-real (US$6.72 billion) agreement with prosecutors and the state of Minas Gerais to settle civil claims stemming from the collapse.

(Reporting by Gram Slattery and Marta Nogueira; editing by Sam Holmes) 

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

A look inside the gutted 24 Sussex Drive

The National Capital Commission is providing a glimpse inside the gutted 24 Sussex Drive, more than a year after the heritage building along the Ottawa River was closed.

Local Spotlight

'It was surreal': Ontario mother gives birth to son on day of solar eclipse

For many, Monday's total solar eclipse will become a distant memory or collection of photos to scroll through in the years to come. But for Alannah Duarte and her family, they'll be reminded of the rare celestial event every year they celebrate their youngest son's birthday, as he was born on the day of the momentous occasion.