Brazil: Protests in Belo Horizonte January 29

Event

Protests took place in Belo Horizonte (capital of Minas Gerais state) on Tuesday, January 29, over local housing concerns and to denounce the fatal dam collapse that took place in nearby Brumadinho on Friday, January 25. Protesters reportedly burned tires and blocked major roads in the Buritis neighborhood and elsewhere in the city, leading to significant congestion on southbound and eastbound highways in the directions of Rio de Janeiro and Vitória. Further demonstrations in relation to the dam collapse and associated safety and corruption concerns are to be anticipated in the coming days in Belo Horizonte and more widely across the state.

Context

At least 65 people died when a major dam near Brumadinho burst on January 25, sending a torrential wave of mud and debris down on residential areas; nearly 300 more people remain missing. Authorities arrested five people in connection with the incident on January 29. The dam had passed a safety inspection in September 2018.

Advice

Individuals present in Belo Horizonte are advised to avoid all potential demonstrations, anticipate likely transportation disruptions surrounding protests, and to monitor developments to the situation.