Victims of Mariana Dam Collapse Demand Justice in London Lawsuit

Mothers of children lost in the Mariana dam collapse demand justice as their London lawsuit wraps up, seeking accountability from BHP. The lawsuit, involving over 600,000 claimants worth £36 billion, is one of the largest in English legal history. BHP argues the case duplicates ongoing Brazilian proceedings and defends its actions pre-collapse, while victims strive for recognition and compensation.

On Thursday, mothers of children who perished in Brazil’s 2015 Mariana dam collapse, the country’s deadliest environmental disaster, passionately called for justice during the conclusion of their London lawsuit. The collapse resulted in the deaths of nineteen individuals, left thousands homeless, and significantly polluted the Doce River while flooding forests.

Samarco, the owner of the dam and a joint venture between Vale and BHP, is central to the ongoing legal proceedings. The lawsuit, which involves over 600,000 Brazilians, 46 local governments, and approximately 2,000 businesses, seeks up to 36 billion pounds ($46.63 billion) in damages. It represents one of the most substantial legal actions in English history, commencing in October.

Gelvana Silva, who lost her son Thiago at the age of seven during the disaster, described the event as life-altering. Similarly, Pamela Fernandes, mourning her five-year-old daughter Manu, expressed her desire for justice to attain peace, highlighting the emotional toll on families affected by the tragedy.

BHP contends that the lawsuit is unnecessarily duplicative of existing legal efforts in Brazil and should be dismissed, asserting that it has already contributed nearly $8 billion in compensatory funds through the Renova Foundation, with about $1.7 billion allocated to the current claimants. The corporation maintains that it was neither the owner nor operator of the dam and claims it lacked prior knowledge of any stability issues that led to its collapse.

Following a compensation arrangement between the Brazilian government and BHP, Vale, and Samarco, the plaintiffs feel disconnected from the reparations. The trial, as noted by Tom Goodhead, CEO of Pogust Goodhead representing the plaintiffs, is fundamentally about holding companies accountable for their actions and failures. Silva emphasized that a conviction would mark a monumental achievement for the victims.

The emotional testimonies of victims’ families underline the human cost of the Mariana dam collapse and the ongoing fight for justice. With significant financial claims and accountability at stake, the outcome of the legal proceedings will be pivotal in addressing the catastrophic impacts of the disaster. The plaintiffs’ resolve, despite their grief, reflects a broader demand for corporate responsibility and transparency in environmental disasters.

Original Source: www.usnews.com