At least 15 people believed dead after dam bursts in Brazil

Authorities fear at least 15 people are dead after a dam burst at an iron-ore mine in southeastern Brazil Thursday, causing major mudslides and flooding.

The village of Bento Rodrigues, four miles below where the dam burst, flooded, and thick mud covered homes and cars. Authorities say they have evacuated 600 people from the area, and flooding reached another village further down the road, Paracatu de Baixo. Officials in Minas Gerais state say 45 people are still missing, and at least one person is confirmed dead.

The Germano mine is operated by Samarco, a joint venture between the mining giant BHP Billiton and Vale, a Brazilian company. The purpose of the dam was to keep water and toxic residue from the mine away from the villages, and when the dam burst, it let out water that possibly contained toxic elements, The Guardian reports. In a statement, Samarco said it does not yet know why the dam burst or the extent of the damage.

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