catastrophes News

Major Canada Earthquake Could Lead to Widespread Insurer Insolvencies: Report

A massive earthquake off the coast of British Columbia has the potential to cause widespread failure among insurance companies and trigger a domino effect across the financial sector, according to a Conference Board of Canada report. “As the earthquake in …

Willis Re and SpatialKey Partner to Launch European Windstorm App

Willis Re, the reinsurance division of Willis Towers Watson, has collaborated with SpatialKey Inc. to launch a new European Windstorm app. “This powerful new event response application integrates data from multiple data sources, including EuroTempest, insurance industry experts in forecasting …

Brazil Charges 21 with Homicide for Failing to Avert Samarco Mine Disaster

Brazilian prosecutors charged 21 people with qualified homicide on Thursday for their roles in the collapse of a tailings dam at the Samarco Mineração SA iron ore mine last November that killed 19 people. The charges follow what is now …

Brazil’s Prosecutor Expected to Seek Criminal Charges over Samarco Mine Disaster

Brazilian prosecutors are finalizing a criminal investigation into the Samarco mine disaster and expect to ask a judge by the end of September to charge employees, one of the prosecutors heading the case said. The investigation is looking into alleged …

Brazil Mine Disaster Caused by Poor Drainage & Design of Tailings Dam: Report

The deadly collapse of a tailings dam last November at the Samarco mine, owned by Vale SA and BHP Billiton, was caused by drainage and design flaws, a report into Brazil’s worst-ever environmental disaster showed on Monday. The 76-page report …

Typhoon Nepartak Lashes Taiwan, to Weaken Before Hitting China

Super typhoon Nepartak hit Taiwan on Friday, driving thousands of people from their homes, disrupting power supply and forcing the cancellation of more than 600 flights, emergency authorities said. Television showed images of tipped-over motorcycles and large signboards being ripped …

Taiwan Readies for Typhoon Nepartak; AIR Worldwide Comments

Taiwan told schools and offices along its eastern coast to close early Thursday as Typhoon Nepartak threatens to unleash strong winds and heavy rain across the island through Friday. Airlines canceled or rerouted flights in and out of Taiwan. The …

BHP to Fight $6B Civil Claim over Brazil Mining Disaster

BHP Billiton on Friday said it would appeal against the decision by a Brazilian court to reinstate a $6 billion public civil claim over last year’s Samarco iron ore mine disaster. BHP and 50-50 joint-venture partner Vale had agreed on …

Ecuador to Raise Taxes, Sell Assets to Fund Multi-Billion Dollar Quake Rebuilding

Ecuador will temporarily increase some taxes, sell assets, and may issue new bonds on the international market to fund a multi-billion dollar reconstruction after a devastating 7.8 magnitude quake, a somber President Rafael Correa said on Wednesday [April 20]. The …

EU Contributes $15.8M to Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility

The European Commission has agreed to contribute €14 million ($15.8 million) so the governments of Central American countries and the Dominican Republic can access to “low cost, high quality catastrophe risk insurance.” The agreement will be executed by the World …