The Toxic River

Brazil Mining Disaster
After effects of a wave of toxic sludge and be seen along the Rio Gualaxo do Norte, upriver from the village of Bento Rodrigues, a rural district of Mariana, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Dec. 3, 2015. The wave, caused by a Samarco mining company dam rupture, destroyed the village and killed at least 19 people. Several people are still missing, and the Rio Doce, where the toxic mud went, is virtualy dead now. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
An entrance to the Samarco Mining company in the municipality of Mariana, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Dec. 3, 2015. A wave of toxic sludge from the mining company's holding resevoir destroyed the village of Bento Rodrigues Nov. 5, 2015 when the dam ruptured. Ninteen deaths have been confirmed several people are still missing, and the Rio Doce, where the toxic med went, is virtualy dead now. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
The village of Bento Rodrigues, a rural district of Mariana, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Dec. 3, 2015. A wave of toxic sludge from the Samarco mining company's holding resevoir destroyed the village Nov. 5, 2015 when the dam ruptured. Ninteen deaths have been confirmed several people are still missing, and the Rio Doce, where the toxic med went, is virtualy dead now. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
The village of Bento Rodrigues, a rural district of Mariana, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Dec. 3, 2015. A wave of toxic sludge from the Samarco mining company's holding resevoir destroyed the village Nov. 5, 2015 when the dam ruptured. Ninteen deaths have been confirmed several people are still missing, and the Rio Doce, where the toxic med went, is virtualy dead now. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
The village of Bento Rodrigues, a rural district of Mariana, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Dec. 3, 2015. A wave of toxic sludge from the Samarco mining company's holding resevoir destroyed the village Nov. 5, 2015 when the dam ruptured. Ninteen deaths have been confirmed several people are still missing, and the Rio Doce, where the toxic med went, is virtualy dead now. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
The village of Bento Rodrigues, a rural district of Mariana, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Dec. 3, 2015. A wave of toxic sludge from the Samarco mining company's holding resevoir destroyed the village Nov. 5, 2015 when the dam ruptured. Ninteen deaths have been confirmed several people are still missing, and the Rio Doce, where the toxic med went, is virtualy dead now. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
The village of Bento Rodrigues, a rural district of Mariana, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Dec. 3, 2015. A wave of toxic sludge from the Samarco mining company's holding resevoir destroyed the village Nov. 5, 2015 when the dam ruptured. Ninteen deaths have been confirmed several people are still missing, and the Rio Doce, where the toxic med went, is virtualy dead now. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
"A school used to be here" is written on a whiteboard in what is left of the local school of the village of Bento Rodrigues, a rural district of Mariana, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Dec. 3, 2015. A wave of toxic sludge from the Samarco mining company's holding resevoir destroyed the village Nov. 5, 2015 when the dam ruptured. Ninteen deaths have been confirmed several people are still missing, and the Rio Doce, where the toxic med went, is virtualy dead now. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
The local school of the village of Bento Rodrigues, a rural district of Mariana, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Dec. 3, 2015. A wave of toxic sludge from the Samarco mining company's holding resevoir destroyed the village Nov. 5, 2015 when the dam ruptured. Ninteen deaths have been confirmed several people are still missing, and the Rio Doce, where the toxic med went, is virtualy dead now. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
The local school of the village of Bento Rodrigues, a rural district of Mariana, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Dec. 3, 2015. A wave of toxic sludge from the Samarco mining company's holding resevoir destroyed the village Nov. 5, 2015 when the dam ruptured. Ninteen deaths have been confirmed several people are still missing, and the Rio Doce, where the toxic med went, is virtualy dead now. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
A backhoe removes debris in the village of Bento Rodrigues, a rural district of Mariana, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Dec. 3, 2015. A wave of toxic sludge from the Samarco mining company's holding resevoir destroyed the village Nov. 5, 2015 when the dam ruptured. Ninteen deaths have been confirmed several people are still missing, and the Rio Doce, where the toxic med went, is virtualy dead now. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
The village of Bento Rodrigues, a rural district of Mariana, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Dec. 3, 2015. A wave of toxic sludge from the Samarco mining company's holding resevoir destroyed the village Nov. 5, 2015 when the dam ruptured. Ninteen deaths have been confirmed several people are still missing, and the Rio Doce, where the toxic med went, is virtualy dead now. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
A street scene in the village of Bento Rodrigues, a rural district of Mariana, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Dec. 3, 2015. A wave of toxic sludge from the Samarco mining company's holding resevoir destroyed the village Nov. 5, 2015 when the dam ruptured. Ninteen deaths have been confirmed several people are still missing, and the Rio Doce, where the toxic med went, is virtualy dead now. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
A massive open iron-ore mine in the municipality of Mariana, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Dec. 3, 2015. The region is booming from several mines, but the same industry which brings prosperity also brings tragedy. On Nov. 5, 2015, the village of Bento Rodrigues was destroyed by a wave of toxic sludge from the Samarco mining company's holding resevoir when the dam ruptured. Ninteen deaths have been confirmed several people are still missing, and the Rio Doce, where the toxic med went, is virtualy dead now. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Fishing community resident Kailane Rodrigues, 11 sits near the Rio Doce in the town of Baixo Guandu, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 4, 2015. Toxic sludge from a broken mining company dam hundreds of kilometers upriver has virtually killed the river, and the livelyhood of the communities along it. Even if there were any fish left in the river, human consumption is not recommended, leaving fisher people without a source of food and income. Ninteen deaths have been confirmed and several people are still missing. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Monique Rodrigues of a local fishing community walks near the Rio Doce in the town of Baixo Guandu, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 4, 2015. Toxic sludge from a broken mining company dam hundreds of kilometers upriver has virtually killed the river and the livelyhood of communities all along it. Even if there were any fish left in the river, human consumption is not recommended, leaving fisher people without a source of food and income. Ninteen deaths have been confirmed and several people are still missing. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Monique Rodrigues of a local fishing community near the Rio Doce in the town of Baixo Guandu, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 4, 2015. Toxic sludge from a broken mining company dam hundreds of kilometers upriver has virtually killed the river and the livelyhood of communities all along it. Even if there were any fish left in the river, human consumption is not recommended, leaving fisher people without a source of food and income. Ninteen deaths have been confirmed and several people are still missing. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Monique Rodrigues and her daughters Kailane, 11, and Kaline, 3, near the Rio Doce in the town of Baixo Guandu, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 4, 2015. Toxic sludge from a broken mining company dam hundreds of kilometers upriver has virtually killed the river and the livelyhood of communities all along it. Even if there were any fish left in the river, human consumption is not recommended, leaving fisher people without a source of food and income. Ninteen deaths have been confirmed and several people are still missing. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
A view of the Rio Doce in the town of Baixo Guandu, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 4, 2015. Toxic sludge from a broken mining company dam hundreds of kilometers upriver has virtually killed the river. Even if there were any fish left in the river, human consumption is not recommended, leaving fisher people without a source of food and income. Ninteen deaths have been confirmed and several people are still missing. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Idle fishing boats on the Rio Doce in the town of Baixo Guandu, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 4, 2015. Toxic sludge from a broken mining company dam hundreds of kilometers upriver has virtually killed the river. Even if there were any fish left in the river, human consumption is not recommended, leaving fisher people without a source of food and income. Ninteen deaths have been confirmed and several people are still missing. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Waldir Moreira dos Santos of a local fishing community shows his stock of frozen fish in the town of Baixo Guandu, along the Rio Doce, in the southeastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 4, 2015. Although Moreira says he caught the fish before toxic sludge from a mining accident reached the area, no one is buying fish due to fears of contamination. With a source of income eliminated, Moreira's only option is to eat the fish he already has, and look for other jobs. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Waldir Moreira dos Santos of a local fishing community shows his stock of frozen fish in the town of Baixo Guandu, along the Rio Doce, in the southeastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 4, 2015. Although Moreira says he caught the fish before toxic sludge from a mining accident reached the area, no one is buying fish due to fears of contamination. With a source of income eliminated, Moreira's only option is to eat the fish he already has, and look for other jobs. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Waldir Moreira dos Santos of a local fishing community shows his stock of frozen fish in the town of Baixo Guandu, along the Rio Doce, in the southeastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 4, 2015. Although Moreira says he caught the fish before toxic sludge from a mining accident reached the area, no one is buying fish due to fears of contamination. With a source of income eliminated, Moreira's only option is to eat the fish he already has, and look for other jobs. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Waldir Moreira dos Santos of a local fishing community shows his stock of frozen fish in the town of Baixo Guandu, along the Rio Doce, in the southeastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 4, 2015. Although Moreira says he caught the fish before toxic sludge from a mining accident reached the area, no one is buying fish due to fears of contamination. With a source of income eliminated, Moreira's only option is to eat the fish he already has, and look for other jobs. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Jose Reinaldo Celetes, right, and wife Ana Maria show their stock of frozen fish in the town of Baixo Guandu, along the Rio Doce, in the southeastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 4, 2015. Although they caught the fish before toxic sludge from a mining accident reached the area, no one is buying fish due to fears of contamination. With a source of income eliminated, their only option is to eat the fish they already have, and look for other jobs. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Waldir Moreira dos Santos of a local fishing community shows his stock of frozen fish in the town of Baixo Guandu, along the Rio Doce, in the southeastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 4, 2015. Although Moreira says he caught the fish before toxic sludge from a mining accident reached the area, no one is buying fish due to fears of contamination. With a source of income eliminated, Moreira's only option is to eat the fish he already has, and look for other jobs. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Jose Reinaldo Celetes, right, and wife Ana Maria show their stock of frozen fish in the town of Baixo Guandu, along the Rio Doce, in the southeastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 4, 2015. Although they caught the fish before toxic sludge from a mining accident reached the area, no one is buying fish due to fears of contamination. With a source of income eliminated, their only option is to eat the fish they already have, and look for other jobs. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Jose Reinaldo Celetes and wife Ana Maria show their stock of frozen fish in the town of Baixo Guandu, along the Rio Doce, in the southeastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 4, 2015. Although they caught the fish before toxic sludge from a mining accident reached the area, no one is buying fish due to fears of contamination. With a source of income eliminated, their only option is to eat the fish they already have, and look for other jobs. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Mayor Neto Barros of the town of Baixo Guandu walks along the Rio Doce, which passes his city in the southeastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 4, 2015. Toxic sludge from a ruptured dam hundreds of kilometers upriver has virtually killed the river, and emergency measures were taken to divert the city's water source to a different river nearby. Barros has been an outspoken critic of the Samarco mining company and federal government's handling of the disaster, considered the worst ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Mayor Neto Barros of the town of Baixo Guandu walks along the Rio Doce, which passes his city in the southeastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 4, 2015. Toxic sludge from a ruptured dam hundreds of kilometers upriver has virtually killed the river, and emergency measures were taken to divert the city's water source to a different river nearby. Barros has been an outspoken critic of the Samarco mining company and federal government's handling of the disaster, considered the worst ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Mayor Neto Barros of the town of Baixo Guandu, left, gives an interview on a bridge over Rio Doce, which passes his city in the southeastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 4, 2015. Toxic sludge from a ruptured dam hundreds of kilometers upriver has virtually killed the river, and emergency measures were taken to divert the city's water source to a different river nearby. Barros has been an outspoken critic of the Samarco mining company and federal government's handling of the disaster, considered the worst ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
A view of the town of Baixo Guandu and the Rio Doce in the southereastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 5, 2015. Toxic sludge from a broken mining company dam hundreds of kilometers upriver has virtually killed the river and the livelyhood of communities all along it. But local authorities in Baixo Guandu, aware of the approaching danger, were able to change the town's water supply to a different river just in time. Other towns were not so lucky and rely on water trucks. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
A view of the town of Baixo Guandu and the unusually orange Rio Doce in the southereastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 5, 2015. Toxic sludge from a broken mining company dam hundreds of kilometers upriver has virtually killed the river and the livelyhood of communities all along it. But local authorities in Baixo Guandu, aware of the approaching danger, were able to change the town's water supply to a different river just in time. Other towns were not so lucky and rely on water trucks. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Cyclists on a bridge over the unusually orange Rio Doce, in the town of Baixo Guandu, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 5, 2015. Toxic sludge from a broken mining company dam hundreds of kilometers upriver has virtually killed the river and the livelyhood of communities all along it. But local authorities in Baixo Guandu, aware of the approaching danger, were able to change the town's water supply to a different river just in time. Other towns were not so lucky and rely on water trucks. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
An iron-ore train passes near the town of Baixo Guandu in the southereastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 5, 2015, on one of the busiest railroads in Brazil. The number of trains shows the importance of the mining industry to the region, but a recent dam rupture at a mine hundreds of kilometers away has virtually killed a nearby the river and the livelyhood of communities all along it. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
An iron-ore train passes near the town of Baixo Guandu in the southereastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 5, 2015, on one of the busiest railroads in Brazil. The number of trains shows the importance of the mining industry to the region, but a recent dam rupture at a mine hundreds of kilometers away has virtually killed a nearby the river and the livelyhood of communities all along it. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Patrons at a riverside restaurant in Colatina, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 5, 2015. Restaurante workers say the quantity and kind of patron there has changed since toxic sludge from a broken mining company dam arrived. Now there are fewer clients, and the ones that come cannot prepare food at home due to the crisis. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
A view of the unusually orange Rio Doce in the southereastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 5, 2015. Toxic sludge from a broken mining company dam hundreds of kilometers upriver has virtually killed the river and the livelyhood of communities all along it. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Patrons at a riverside restaurant in Colatina, in the southereastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 5, 2015. Restaurante workers say the quantity and kind of patron there has changed since toxic sludge from a broken mining company dam arrived. Now there are fewer clients, and the ones that come cannot prepare food at home due to the crisis. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
A view of the unusually orange Rio Doce in the southereastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, Dec. 5, 2015. Toxic sludge from a broken mining company dam hundreds of kilometers upriver has virtually killed the river and the livelyhood of communities all along it. It is considered the worst ecological disaster ever in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Brazil Mining Disaster
Tourists watch a female loggerhead turtle on the beach of Regencia, in Brazil's southeastern Espirito Santo state, Dec. 6, 2015. Toxic sludge from a mining accident hundreds f kilometers away in the mountains was spilled into the Rio Doce watershed on Nov. 5, 2015, and has finally reached the river delta. It's only meters away from where the endandered turtles lay their eggs. Researches say the worst may yet to come from what is already consdered the worst ecological disaster in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Brazil Mining Disaster
Tourists watch a female loggerhead turtle lay eggs on the beach of Regencia, in Brazil's southeastern Espirito Santo state, Dec. 6, 2015. Toxic sludge from a mining accident hundreds of kilometers away in the mountains was spilled into the Rio Doce watershed on Nov. 5, 2015, and has finally reached the river delta. It's only meters away from where the endandered turtles lay their eggs. Researches say the worst may yet to come from what is already consdered the worst ecological disaster in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Tourists watch a female loggerhead turtle on the beach of Regencia, in Brazil's southeastern Espirito Santo state, Dec. 6, 2015. Toxic sludge from a mining accident hundreds of kilometers away in the mountains was spilled into the Rio Doce watershed on Nov. 5, 2015, and has finally reached the river delta. It's only meters away from where the endandered turtles lay their eggs. Researches say the worst may yet to come from what is already consdered the worst ecological disaster in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Tourists watch a female loggerhead turtle on the beach of Regencia, in Brazil's southeastern Espirito Santo state, Dec. 6, 2015. Toxic sludge from a mining accident hundreds of kilometers away in the mountains was spilled into the Rio Doce watershed on Nov. 5, 2015, and has finally reached the river delta. It's only meters away from where the endandered turtles lay their eggs. Researches say the worst may yet to come from what is already consdered the worst ecological disaster in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Tourists watch a female loggerhead turtle on the beach of Regencia, in Brazil's southeastern Espirito Santo state, Dec. 6, 2015. Toxic sludge from a mining accident hundreds of kilometers away in the mountains was spilled into the Rio Doce watershed on Nov. 5, 2015, and has finally reached the river delta. It's only meters away from where the endandered turtles lay their eggs. Researches say the worst may yet to come from what is already consdered the worst ecological disaster in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Tourists watch a female loggerhead turtle on the beach of Regencia, in Brazil's southeastern Espirito Santo state, Dec. 6, 2015. Toxic sludge from a mining accident hundreds of kilometers away in the mountains was spilled into the Rio Doce watershed on Nov. 5, 2015, and has finally reached the river delta. It's only meters away from where the endandered turtles lay their eggs. Researches say the worst may yet to come from what is already consdered the worst ecological disaster in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
Tourists watch a female loggerhead turtle on the beach of Regencia, in Brazil's southeastern Espirito Santo state, Dec. 6, 2015. Toxic sludge from a mining accident hundreds of kilometers away in the mountains was spilled into the Rio Doce watershed on Nov. 5, 2015, and has finally reached the river delta. It's only meters away from where the endandered turtles lay their eggs. Researches say the worst may yet to come from what is already consdered the worst ecological disaster in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Brazil Mining Disaster
A female loggerhead turtle makes her way back to the sea after laying eggs on the beach of Regencia, in Brazil's southeastern Espirito Santo state, Dec. 6, 2015. Toxic sludge from a mining accident hundreds of kilometers away in the mountains was spilled into the Rio Doce watershed on Nov. 5, 2015, and has finally reached the river delta. It's only meters away from where the endandered turtles lay their eggs. Researches say the worst may yet to come from what is already consdered the worst ecological disaster in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)