Brazil Dams Breach: Two Deaths Confirmed & 28 Still Missing, Companies On Fire For Incident

The recent dam break at one of at one of BHP Billiton's mines in Brazil has already reportedly left two dead and 28 others still missing. The recent tragic event has cast the spotlight on mine safety.

In a report with BBC News, a wall of red sludge came crashing down on the village of Bento Rodrigues when the two dams holding waste water from the jointly owned BHP Billiton iron ore mine collapsed on Thursday. At present, hundreds of rescue workers are still continuing efforts in search for 28 people who are still missing, most of whom are feared dead. According to officials, two bodies have been retrieved but it is hard to tell whether or not these deaths were related to Thursday's tragic event.

According to a report with The Daily Mail, neither BHP Billiton or mine operator Samarco has stepped forward to determine the cause of the dam's rupture. So far, government officials have focused on rescue and recovery operations. However, regulators, evironmentalists and activists are calling into question the sustainability and overall safety of the mining industry, which to this day remains one of Brazil's chief source of export revenue.

Families are still hoping that their loved ones are still alive, a report with BBC says. The two bodies of the men that have been found will be subject to DNA testing. So far, 13 mine workers and 13 residents, including 5 children have been reported missing. 

However, Governor Fernando Pimentel of Minas Gerais has already said that it is unlikely that the 13 mine workers would be still found alive and that it was just a matter of accepting the events of the tragedy. 

Residents of Bento Rodrigues had complained of not being given a warning once the two dams, Fundao and Santarem collapsed.

Many of the residents fled to higher ground when they heard the approaching sludge approach their village. The mine is owned by Vale and BHP Billiton and is operated by Samarco.

According to the report with BBC News, Samarco head Ricardo Vescovi told AFP News that Brazilian law does not require an emergency alarm should the dam collapse. Authorities further reported that there is no risk of a third dam collapsing. Authorities had approved the emergency response plan, the report said. 

More than 500 people lived in Bento Rodrigues and many of them fear the health risks brought about by the iron ore residue in the mud.