Live
Audio Only
Prosecutors in Brazil have filed homicide charges against 21 people responsible for an iron ore mine disaster in the state of Minas Gerais that killed 19 people last year.
The accused are current and former top executives of Brazil's Samarco, which is owned by the companies Vale and BHP Billiton. Those chared include several Brazilians, two U.S. citizens, a South African, an Australian, a French man and a Briton.
Last November a mining dam collapsed, killing 19 people and polluting miles of Brazil's waterways. The mud from the dams spread to nearby towns, causing flooding and displacing hundreds of people. The contaminated mud was filled with mining waste material.
The individuals charged for this disaster could face sentences of between 12 and 30 years in prison.
Prosecutors claim employees of BHP and Vale knew there was a risk of collapse but ignored it, prioritizing their profits over the safety of local people. However, the companies have denied the accusation and said they will defend their people.
WATCH: Brazil: Arsenic Found in River Polluted by Mine Waste
Executives from both companies also claimed that the prosecutors ignored the fact that when the disaster occurred, they took responsibility for it and created a joint fund for the recovery costs.
Newsletter
