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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Phoebe Weston

Victims of Brazil’s worst environmental disaster to get day in UK courts

Aerial view over mud and waste after the collapse of the Mariana dam in 2015.
Aerial view of the destruction of farmland after the collapse of the Mariana dam in 2015, which released toxic mining waste down 400 miles of waterways. Photograph: António Lacerda/EPA

More than 200,000 victims of Brazil’s worst environmental disaster will have their case heard in a UK court, making it the largest group claim in English legal history.

The lawsuit is against the Anglo-Australian mining company BHP – one of the biggest companies in the world – for their involvement in the collapse of the Mariana dam in 2015, which released toxic mining waste down 400 miles (640km) of waterways along the Doce River. Claimants are seeking at least £5bn ($6bn) in compensation.

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