Trial in Munich: TÜV SÜD faces court over dam collapse in Brazil
A trial has begun in Munich against German inspection company TÜV SÜD. The company is being held partially responsible for the collapse of a dam in Brazil in 2019.
Trial in Munich: TÜV SÜD faces court over dam collapse in Brazil
The trial against German inspection company TÜV SÜD began on Tuesday in Munich. The company is being held partially responsible for the collapse of a dam in Brazil in 2019.
Relatives of the victims protested outside the courthouse as they awaited the resumption of proceedings. The demonstration took place on 26 May 2026 in the Bavarian state capital. The affected families demanded clarification and justice for the disaster, in which hundreds of people lost their lives.
The dam collapse occurred in January 2019 in the Brazilian region of Brumadinho in the state of Minas Gerais. A tailings dump at the Córrego do Feijão iron ore mine collapsed. A mud slide flooded parts of the facility and surrounding areas. More than 250 people died in the disaster.
TÜV SÜD had prepared safety reports for the dam structure as an external inspector. The public prosecutor's office accuses the company of certifying the stability of the structure despite identifiable defects. Investigators believe the inspectors ignored or downplayed warning signs.
The trial in Germany is possible because TÜV SÜD is headquartered in Munich. Brazilian authorities had submitted requests for legal assistance to Germany. The proceedings are directed against company employees and possibly against the organisation itself.
Victim representatives emphasise that those responsible must be held accountable. They criticise the fact that similar accidents in the Brazilian mining industry occur repeatedly. News agency Reuters reported on the protests outside the Munich court. Source: Reuters Connect
The trial is accompanied by international media attention. Environmental organisations and human rights groups are following the proceedings closely. A verdict could have far-reaching consequences for the liability of inspection companies in industrial disasters.
Source: Google News HR — Crime (hr)