Pope Francis on January 25, 2020, released a video message offering prayers for the families of the victims of the January 25, 2019 dam disaster in Brazil’s Brumadinho city that resulted in the death of 272 people. The dam released a mudflow that advanced through the mine’s offices, including a cafeteria during lunchtime, along with houses, farms, inns, and roads downstream. The dam was owned by the Brazilian mining giant Vale.
«On this first anniversary of the tragedy of Brumadinho, let us pray for the 272 brothers and sisters who were buried,» the Pope said in his video. «And we lament the contamination of the entire river basin. Let us offer our solidarity to the families of the victims, and our support to the archdiocese and to all the people who are suffering and need our help. By the intercession of Saint Paul, may God help us to repair and protect our common home.»
