The death toll of Brumadinho rises to 115 | New

It is early morning. When a search day ends, the other day begins already. In the fire department, they prepare the helicopters. The day is coming soon and they must be in heaven for relief missions.

Helicopters require thorough inspection and cleaning. In addition to mud and dust, there is another danger: the iron ore, thin, gets into the equipment and can compromise the operation of the aircraft. Time is running out to let the plane ready to fly.

"We arrived daily around 9 pm and started the call at 5 am During this period, the mechanics have to work intensively," said Lt. Col. Alexander Gomes Rodrigues, commander of air operations.

Before leaving the hangar, the latest instructions are given to the pilots. When the sun comes, the helicopters leave the Belo Horizonte hangar towards Brumadinho. Along the way, we discover why this is the name of the city: see how much fog, how much fog is forming at dawn in the mountains of the region.

From the top, it is possible to see a dam similar to the one that collapsed and the same risk. A little below, the buildings of a company.

Shortly after, the area devastated by the wave of tailings. A week later, there is still dripping water and lots of mud. The chapel Nossa Senhora das Dores, headquarters of rescue operations, is the destination of helicopters.

On the altar of the church, an air control center is installed. The spaces are divided between the air force personnel and the fire brigade. Until now, according to firefighters, there have been more than 220 hours of flight.

"It is certain that Mariana is the largest rescue and recovery operation ever conducted in Minas Gerais," said Lieutenant Pedro Aihara.

Helicopters are essential to the mission. This is the only way to transport teams to so-called "hot" areas, where work is harder and riskier. There is still a lot of mud in the liquid state. In these sections, men and women wear special clothing to crawl and search for traces.

This is a job that involves health risks for firefighters. They must take medicine to prevent diseases such as pneumonia and typhoid fever. "We are told that a firefighter is born and that it is a pleasure, an honor to be able to help others, it is an honor to be here, it is certain "said Sergeant Natália Daisy Ribeiro.

This Friday (1st), they played another important role. On board 10 helicopters, men and women engaged in rescue operations threw flowers at the victims of the dam. Prayers among the residues marked the eighth day of searching for the missing.