Results for: Dam Collapse

After years of negotiations, Vale has reached a $30 billion settlement with the Brazilian government for the 2015 Samarco dam collapse, one of the worst environmental disasters in the country’s history. The settlement, covering past and future obligations, includes compensation for affected communities, environmental remediation, and resettlement efforts. Meanwhile, BHP faces a separate class-action lawsuit in the UK seeking damages from the disaster, potentially setting a precedent for global environmental liability.

Heavy rains have wreaked havoc in Brazil’s southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, claiming the lives of 37 people. The toll is expected to rise as dozens remain missing. The floods have also displaced over 23,000 individuals and affected nearly half of the state’s 497 cities. Streets have transformed into rivers, while roads and bridges have been destroyed. Landslides and the partial collapse of a dam have exacerbated the situation. A second dam is at risk of collapsing, prompting evacuations. The weather pattern, influenced by both tropical and polar atmospheres, has intensified due to climate change. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited the state to assess the damage and coordinate rescue efforts.