Anglo American emergency sirens trigger evacuations in Minas Gerais

Emergency sirens from Anglo American’s Minas-Rio tailings dam complex were activated on Thursday evening in the central region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The alarm, which sounded around 7:40 PM, triggered immediate evacuations in the São José do Jassém, Conceição do Mato Dentro, and Alvorada de Minas areas.

Residents living within the Self-Rescue Zone (ZAS) followed emergency protocols, moving to designated meeting points. The mobilization included elderly individuals, people with disabilities, children, and infants. Some families reported difficulties during the evacuation, such as challenges moving residents with reduced mobility.

Local residents expressed concern regarding the panic caused by the sirens and noted a delay in the arrival of company representatives, who reportedly did not appear until after 10:30 PM.