After a month of going to the local police and submitting applications to photograph Bento Rodrigues, we were the last group admitted in the town of Bento Rodrigues,  the town directly below the mining damn. The entire town was destroyed in one hour without any siren to alert the citizens of the massive mudslide heading their way. We were escorted by Brazilian and Samarco private police officers and given only an hour to film. Upon leaving the site our car was held by the Samarco private police for 2 hours as we were interrogated and our identities written down.  I secured the memory cards in my bra to ensure the footage wasn't taken. 

At the time of the accident school was in session. Children were piled into a cement truck and driven out of town as quickly as possible. Unfortunately at least four children were killed due to Samarco's lack of communication. 

We brought figurines of the patron Saint Sao Bento for which the town was named.

"Jesus loves the people of Bento Rodigues"

The houses on higher ground were looted and robbed of anything salvageable.