Hearings have commenced in Belo Horizonte to determine accountability for the Brumadinho tragedy, with family members of victims present to demand justice.
In Belo Horizonte, the hearings related to the tragic incident in Brumadinho began on a Monday, drawing a large crowd eager to follow the proceedings. Family members of victims staged a vigil outside the courtroom, seeking answers and justice for their loved ones. Silas Fialho, president of the Association of Affected by Dams in Minas Gerais, emphasized the need for Brazilian justice to set a precedent to prevent similar heartbreak in other cities and communities.
The judicial process consists of 76 hearings aimed at listening to 166 defense and prosecution witnesses, indicating the complexity and scale of the case. Following these testimonies, the accused will testify, and a decision will be made as to whether the case will go to a jury trial. The expected duration of this process could stretch until May 2027, highlighting the long road ahead in seeking justice for the victims of Brumadinho.
Fifteen individuals are facing the criminal charges, including 11 employees of the mining company Vale, underscoring the serious implications for corporate accountability in Brazil. This trial will likely scrutinize the actions leading to the disaster and hold individuals and corporations responsible, considering the catastrophic loss of life and environmental damage caused by the dam collapse.
