Brazil's Environmental Catastrophe: Fight for Justice in UK Court

Victims of Brazil's historic environmental disaster are pursuing compensation from BHP in a UK court, nearly nine years after a dam break released toxic waste, causing widespread devastation. The lawsuit seeks £36 billion in damages, asserting that BHP is evading justice despite ongoing reparation efforts in Brazil.

Nearly nine years since Brazil's worst environmental disaster, victims are seeking justice in a UK court. On Monday, a class action lawsuit against BHP, the global mining conglomerate, commenced at the High Court in London, aiming for £36 billion in compensation for the devastation caused by a massive spill of toxic mining waste.

The spill occurred when a tailings dam, operated by Samarco, a company half-owned by BHP, ruptured on November 5, 2015. The catastrophic event released enough waste to fill 13,000 Olympic-size swimming pools, claiming 19 lives and destroying local communities along the Doce River in southeastern Brazil. BHP was brought to court in London as one of its main legal entities was based there at the time of filing.

Meanwhile, BHP signaled ongoing negotiations with Brazilian authorities to settle claims arising from the disaster, offering up to USD 31.7 billion. Pogust Goodhead, the law firm representing the plaintiffs, emphasized that the potential settlement does not affect the UK case, accusing BHP of seeking to evade accountability for their actions since the calamity.

(With inputs from agencies.)