A dam burst at a mining operation in southeastern Brazil on Thursday, submerging nearby homes and burying vehicles, according to AP. Local media reported some dead and missing, but there was no official word on any victims by early evening. Rescue teams were searching for survivors or bodies, and residents living nearby were told to evacuate to higher ground. Images from Globo TV showed the strip-mining operation overrun with water and mud, and large vehicles tossed on their sides. Authorities said the dam was built to hold back water and residue from mining operations, a mixture that can often be toxic. The Samarco mining company said in a statement on its website that it was making "every effort to prioritize care to people and mitigate damage to the environment." "It is not possible at this moment to confirm a cause ... nor if there are victims," it added. Police, firefighters and city officials also said they could not confirm any victims. A statement from the city hall of Mariana, a city of about 40,000 people 300 kilometers (185 miles) north of Rio de Janeiro, said the dam ruptured at 4:20 p.m. in an area roughly 20 kilometers (over 12 miles) from the city center.
