Death Toll From Dam Collapse In Southeastern Brazil Rises To 169 - Reports

The death toll from the collapse of a dam, belonging to the Vale company, in Brazil's southeastern state of Minas Gerais rose to 169, while 141 people are missing, the G1 news outlet reported on Monday, citing local authorities

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th February, 2019) The death toll from the collapse of a dam, belonging to the Vale company, in Brazil's southeastern state of Minas Gerais rose to 169, while 141 people are missing, the G1 news outlet reported on Monday, citing local authorities.

Previous reports suggested that 166 people had been killed in the incident.

Brazilian mining corporation Vale, the world's largest iron ore miner, announced on Saturday the evacuation of about 200 people in the area near its mine's dam in Minas Gerais as a precautionary measure after the collapse.

The dam collapsed in the Brumadinho municipality on January 25, triggering heavy mud floods that caused multiple fatalities and injuries.

According to local media reports, emergency warning sensors at the site failed to go off on the day of the tragedy. Moreover, media have reported that Vale had been aware of the warning system problems at least two days prior to the accident. Inspectors reportedly told the company about its drainage infrastructure problems at the dam and monitoring system issues back in September.