Authorities fear another dam collapse in Brazil

Risks of another collapse of a Vale-owned dam are high at the Barao de Cocais municipality here as the highest level of threat has been sounded.

Vale claims that local residents were already evacuated in February after warning sirens on the dam went off for the first time. Civil defence forces have been sent to the region in case the need for further evacuation arises.

"The need for such a precaution measure emerged after an independent auditor informed us about the dam's instability," the mining giant said, according to Sputnik.

The threat comes after a Vale-owned dam in Brumadinho collapsed in January, leading to heavy mudslides and the death of more than 200 people.

Vale officials were arrested and later let off in the aftermath of the January tragedy.