18 July 2008 | Ouro Preto
On July 11th a bus carrying activists from different social movements collided with a truck transporting gas. The explosion of both vehicles caused the death of fourteen people, four of them activists of the Movement for Dam-Affected People (MAB).
On July 11, a bus carrying activists from different social movements collided with a truck transporting gas. The explosion of both vehicles caused the death of fourteen people, four of them activists of the Movement for Dam-Affected People (MAB); they were directly working on the Madeira River Complex Campaign. Others who lost their lives were part of other social movements such as the Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (MST), CPT and MTD.
According to the Brazil Federal Police, the bus with 27 passengers, departed from Porto Velho and its final destinations was Emater-Rondonia. The accident took place between the municipalities of Jaru and Ouro Preto.
This tragic accident comes at a time when the participation of MAB is crucial in their advocacy role to push to stop the building of the Madeira Dams, the biggest hydroelectric project in the Amazon region that will have irreversible social and environmental consequences. The families of the victims are from the communities affected by different dams and are unemployed and have no land of their own.
The communities have been trying to help those injured and the victims' families. MAB is collecting donations for those affected by the accident. If you would like to make a donation you can find details on the MAB website.