A Brazilian law enforcement taskforce, including local police and public prosecutors, arrested on Friday eight Vale executives as part of a criminal investigation involving the Brumadinho disaster, which killed 166 people so far and left another 147 missing.
Among the eight Vale employees arrested include four managers, out of which two have executive roles, along with four employees of technical areas. The eight executives were directly involved with the safety and stability of the failing dam, which burst on January 25.
The arrests are provisional and may take up to 30 days to process, prosecutors said. Prosecutors said there is enough evidence to charge them for taking part in a number of qualified homicide crimes, which are considered a serious offense in Brazil. Prosecutors will also investigate potential environmental and false representation crimes.
Four employees of German certification company TUV SID were also arrested. The company had attested the safety of the failing dam.
A media report by Valor said local securities exchange commission, CVM, is also investigating top executives and board members. The local securities watchdog is reportedly looking into breaches of securities laws over the incident.