The collapse of a Brazilian dam controlled by miner Vale a week ago likely happened because parts of the structure, made of sand and dried mud, dissolved into liquid, a state regulator said in an interview, similar to what caused another deadly mining disaster less than four years ago.
With 115 people confirmed dead and another 248 missing, according to information from the rescue team on Friday evening, the tailings dam collapse in the town of Brumadinho could be Brazil's deadliest mine disaster.
The burst tailings dam at the Corrego do Feijao mine on Jan. 25 has ignited intense public anger against Vale, which was co-owner of Samarco, the previous dam that collapsed.