Victims of the Mariana dam collapse in Brazil demand justice as their London lawsuit concludes. With 19 fatalities and severe environmental consequences, the case involves vast compensation claims against BHP. Mothers of victims express grief and a desire for accountability, while BHP contends the lawsuit overlaps with ongoing matters in Brazil. A ruling is anticipated this summer.
On Thursday, mothers of victims from the 2015 Mariana dam collapse in Brazil urged for justice as their London lawsuit concluded. This disastrous event resulted in the deaths of nineteen individuals and caused catastrophic environmental damage, displacing thousands and polluting the Doce River. Samarco, which owns the dam, is a joint venture between Vale and BHP.
Gelvana Silva, a grieving mother who lost her son Thiago, expressed her heartbreak, stating, “It was the day that destroyed my life… the day that took away my son.” The lawsuit, amounting to £36 billion ($46.63 billion), involves over 600,000 Brazilians as well as numerous local governments and businesses seeking redress.
Tom Goodhead, CEO of Pogust Goodhead and representative for the claimants, anticipates a ruling this summer after the conclusion of submissions. Pamela Fernandes, who lost her daughter Manu, expressed the need for justice, saying, “I want justice so that I can be at peace, so that my daughter can be at peace.”
In response, BHP contends that the lawsuit overlaps with ongoing proceedings in Brazil and asserts that it should be dismissed. The company claims to have provided nearly $8 billion in assistance to those affected through the Renova Foundation and maintains that it did not own or operate the dam at the time of the collapse.
Moreover, BHP argues that it was unaware of any instability in the dam prior to the disaster. Although the Brazilian government reached a deal for compensation with BHP, Vale, and Samarco, Goodhead indicated that the disaster’s victims were not included in those discussions. He further emphasized that the trial is fundamentally about accountability, asserting, “If the company is convicted, it will be the biggest victory for us… it would have been worth waiting ten years.”
The concluding remarks from this ongoing legal battle highlight the deep emotional scars left by the Mariana dam collapse, as victims’ families continue to seek justice against powerful corporate entities. With substantial claims on the table and a ruling expected soon, the outcome will carry significant implications not only for the affected families but also for corporate accountability in environmental disasters.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
