RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- About 200 people were missing after a tailings dam owned by Brazilian mining giant Vale collapsed Friday in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais, said local fire department.

The dam collapsed in Brumadinho Municipality and caused a mud wave to flow down the river, destroying administrative areas of Vale and residential areas as well.

As the disaster occurred close to lunch hours, many workers are believed to have been inside a refectory area which was completely destroyed by the mud wave. Enditem