Survivors and affected families gather in the UK courts, holding the responsible corporations accountable for the catastrophic disaster that claimed lives and destroyed communities.
Brazilian Dam Collapse Survivors Seek Justice as UK Trial Opens
Brazilian Dam Collapse Survivors Seek Justice as UK Trial Opens
Survivors of Brazil's tragic dam collapse voice their anguish and pursue accountability from mining giants BHP and Vale.
The voices of heartbreak and resilience echoed in the courtroom as the UK trial commenced on October 21, focusing on the Mariana dam disaster that struck Minas Gerais, Brazil, on November 5, 2015. This incident, which resulted in the loss of 19 lives, is considered Brazil's most catastrophic environmental disaster. One of the grieving mothers, Gelvana Rodrigues, recounted the emotional devastation of losing her seven-year-old son, Thiago, to the disaster. “Nothing can bring a life back,” she stated poignantly, emphasizing her desire for justice rather than monetary compensation.
The dam, owned by Samarco—a joint venture between BHP and Vale—collapsed suddenly, releasing millions of cubic meters of toxic waste, obliterating homes and contaminating local waterways. Gelvana and her community are among the 620,000 claimants against BHP, seeking accountability for the incident. The UK court acknowledged jurisdiction based on BHP's operational control at the time of the disaster. If the court finds BHP liable, the next phase will assess damages for compensation distribution.
Among the affected is Marcos Muniz, a lifelong resident of Bento Rodrigues, where the dam burst disfigured the town into a desolate landscape. He lamented, “I never imagined this could happen,” as he now witnesses only ruins of his former home. Despite the Renova Foundation's attempts to compensate victims with financial payment or relocation to a new city, concerns linger regarding the loss of community spirit and way of life.
The Renova Foundation has reportedly distributed over $7.7 billion in compensation to more than 445,000 people. However, BHP and Vale maintain they do not admit liability for the collapse. As the communities transition to Novo Bento, a new development, some residents express a preference for the old community connections over modern conveniences.
While Darliza das Graças enjoys her new life running a restaurant, she acknowledges the fondness for the former tight-knit community. Tensions persist as not all former residents have transitioned, with some remaining skeptical of the new developments.
The ongoing UK legal proceedings initiated in 2018 aim for comprehensive reparations for the catastrophe, estimated to potentially reach $44 billion should the claimants win. As families like Gelvana's search for accountability, the difficulty of quantifying loss becomes a crucial theme in this tragic ongoing saga. In the face of such irreversible loss, Gelvana's resolute plea remains: “I just want justice so that no mother will be sitting here in the same place as me.”
