Dam burst at Vale-BHP mine devastates Brazilian town

Two people dead, more than 30 injured and dozens missing overnight due to the burst of dam which was holding back waste water from an iron ore mine in the southeastern Minas Gerais.

The burst leads to devastating the nearby town with mudslides located about 300 kilometers (185 miles) from Rio de Janeiro it destroyed hundreds of homes in a nearby village on Thursday.

The dam was located near the Gualaxo do Norte river. Holding tailings, a mining waste product of metal filings, water and occasionally chemicals.

The reason of the burst has not yet confirmed.

The local health ministry head of Minas Gerais state, Juliano Duarte, said. “An avalanche of liquid waste destroyed houses, aschool, a church, a medical center, carried away vehicles. Many families have been left homeless and are waiting for news about their loved ones. The emergency work is hampered by the fact that the flooded areas are only accessible via helicopters. This is one of the saddest scenes I ever had to witness.”

Rescue teams, Sniffer dogs have been sent to the site for the search for the missing people.

The People were instructed to evacuate and seek safety on higher ground from the village of Bento Rodrigues.