Mining tragedy in Brazil: the toll of victims rises to 84 after the collapse of a dam in Minas Gerais

The balance sheet of the mining accident last Friday in southeastern Brazil rose from 65 to 84, official sources said on Tuesday, which indicated that there was still 276 missing persons (compared to 288 in the previous balance).

"We have at this moment 276 missing, 84 dead, 42 identified bodiess, "said the lieutenant-colonel of the Civil Defense of Minas Gerais Flávio Godinho.

The authorities also indicated that the number of people located was 391 and that since Saturday no one has been saved alive.

On Friday, the rupture of a mining waste dam by the Brazilian Vale at the Córrego do Feijao mine in the municipality of Brumadinho caused a huge tide of mud that swept this region of southeastern Brazil.

In the next days, "the possibility of finding living people is very small"said spokesman of the Minas Giras Fire Department, Lt. Pedro Aihara.

In the fifth day of intense research, the work will be extended until 9:00 pm (23:00 GMT) and resume at 04:00 on Wednesday.

Since the disaster was unleashed, Vale has been the target of a legal offensive, with heavy fines and millionaire account blocks.

This Tuesday, the police arrested five engineers, including three Vale officials, who are responsible for authorizing the mine.

They were also arrested two engineers of the German TÜV SÜDwhich, in September 2018, guaranteed the stability of the dike.