Brazilian Police Charge 20 Over Braskem Salt Mining Disaster

The charges follow an investigation into the collapse of neighborhoods in Maceio linked to Braskem's mining activities.

The Brazilian federal police have charged 20 individuals in connection with the ground collapse in Maceio, a disaster attributed to decades of salt mining by Braskem.
The charges include damage to public property and violations under Brazil's environmental crimes law.
The disaster led to the evacuation of thousands of families and the destruction of five neighborhoods in Maceio.
Braskem, primarily owned by Petrobras and Novonor, has been cooperating with the investigation but has not yet reviewed the full police report.
In July 2023, Braskem agreed to a $356 million settlement to fund structural repairs and support affected residents in Maceio.