Death toll climbs to 168 in Brazil dam collapse

By Emre Aytekin

ANKARA (AA) - The death toll climbed to 168 in the collapsed tailings dam in Brazil, officials reported Wednesday.

Minas Gerais Civil Defense Organization said on social media at least 186 others were missing following the collapse Jan. 25 in southeastern Minas Gerais state.

Following the dam break, authorities evacuated 3,000 people from the town of Brumadinho.

Rescue operations were paused because of concerns about a second collapse at a nearby dam, owned by the same company, Vale SA.

Search and rescue operations have since resumed.

The dam collapsed while workers were having lunch, and the rescue teams could not reach the dining hall which was buried in the mud, according to authorities.

Another mining waste dam managed by Vale and Australia’s BHP Billiton broke in 2015, killing 19 and rendering hundreds homeless in the city of Mariana in Minas Gerais.