Victims of the Mariana dam collapse seek justice and compensation while grappling with profound losses.
**Justice Delayed: Survivors of Brazil's Mariana Dam Collapse Demand Accountability**
**Justice Delayed: Survivors of Brazil's Mariana Dam Collapse Demand Accountability**
A UK trial examines corporate responsibility for one of Brazil's worst environmental disasters.
The tragic collapse of the Mariana dam in Brazil on November 5, 2015, continues to resonate as a poignant reminder of the catastrophic consequences of corporate negligence. With the trial against BHP beginning in London, survivors and family members who lost loved ones are stepping forward to share their harrowing experiences and fight for justice.
Gelvana Rodrigues lost her seven-year-old son Thiago to the disaster, which unleashed millions of cubic meters of toxic mud into the surrounding communities. Speaking emotionally about the day of the tragedy, Gelvana recalls how she spent days searching for her son, only to receive the devastating news of his death after a week. “That day my life ended,” she disclosed, emphasizing that no compensation could ever bring him back.
Over 620,000 claimants are part of the class action suit against BHP, a major shareholder in the Samarco mining corporation responsible for the dam. Lawyers argue the trial, which is being held in London due to BHP's UK headquarters at that time, could hold the company financially liable for this unprecedented disaster. If successful, the plaintiffs could secure a compensation package described to be upwards of $44 billion.
Marcos Muniz, a former Samarco employee, expressed disbelief over the devastation that struck his town of Bento Rodrigues, where he had spent decades of his life. His house was washed away, and the community he cherished was transformed into ruins. While BHP claims that they are committed to repairing relationships and offering compensation via the Renova Foundation, many survivors share a concern that the new settlements lack the spirit of their original communities.
Darliza das Graças, who owned a bar in the old Bento, currently manages a restaurant in the new town, Novo Bento. Although she appreciates the improvements, she laments the loss of community spirit and connections that defined her former life.
While legal proceedings unfold, the companies involved – BHP and Vale – maintain a stance of deniability regarding liability. They assert that their efforts through the Renova Foundation to provide compensation and resources demonstrate their commitment to addressing the repercussions of the disaster.
The UK lawsuit, initiated in 2018, aims to clarify BHP's operational responsibilities towards Samarco and whether they had knowledge of the risks leading to the collapse. As survivors await justice, Gelvana’s poignant cry for accountability echoes the sentiments of many: “Nothing can bring a life back... I just want justice so that no mother will be sitting here in the same place as me.”
Gelvana Rodrigues lost her seven-year-old son Thiago to the disaster, which unleashed millions of cubic meters of toxic mud into the surrounding communities. Speaking emotionally about the day of the tragedy, Gelvana recalls how she spent days searching for her son, only to receive the devastating news of his death after a week. “That day my life ended,” she disclosed, emphasizing that no compensation could ever bring him back.
Over 620,000 claimants are part of the class action suit against BHP, a major shareholder in the Samarco mining corporation responsible for the dam. Lawyers argue the trial, which is being held in London due to BHP's UK headquarters at that time, could hold the company financially liable for this unprecedented disaster. If successful, the plaintiffs could secure a compensation package described to be upwards of $44 billion.
Marcos Muniz, a former Samarco employee, expressed disbelief over the devastation that struck his town of Bento Rodrigues, where he had spent decades of his life. His house was washed away, and the community he cherished was transformed into ruins. While BHP claims that they are committed to repairing relationships and offering compensation via the Renova Foundation, many survivors share a concern that the new settlements lack the spirit of their original communities.
Darliza das Graças, who owned a bar in the old Bento, currently manages a restaurant in the new town, Novo Bento. Although she appreciates the improvements, she laments the loss of community spirit and connections that defined her former life.
While legal proceedings unfold, the companies involved – BHP and Vale – maintain a stance of deniability regarding liability. They assert that their efforts through the Renova Foundation to provide compensation and resources demonstrate their commitment to addressing the repercussions of the disaster.
The UK lawsuit, initiated in 2018, aims to clarify BHP's operational responsibilities towards Samarco and whether they had knowledge of the risks leading to the collapse. As survivors await justice, Gelvana’s poignant cry for accountability echoes the sentiments of many: “Nothing can bring a life back... I just want justice so that no mother will be sitting here in the same place as me.”
