In pictures: Local hero saves girl from mud during Brazil dam collapse

15-year-old survives

Jefferson Ferreira, 33, was out looking for his sister amongst the trail of destruction when he heard of a report that someone was still alive in the mud.

Thinking it might be his sister, Ferreira rushed to the site with a friend. 

When he arrived and got closer, it was not his sister but rather a 15-year-old girl trapped in the mud.

(Photograph:Reuters)

Girl trapped elbow-deep

Taking advantage of his height, Ferreira waded through the sea of thick mud to reach the girl who was trapped elbow-deep. 

Ferreira stayed by the girl's side until rescuers arrived in a helicopter, helping to lift her up to the chopper to safety.

(Photograph:AFP)

Bittersweet moment for Ferreira

The video of the dramatic rescue has gone viral in Brazil, catapulting Ferreira to nationwide fame. 

But for this local hero, it is a bittersweet moment. Ferreira's sister Jussara remains missing.
 

(Photograph:Reuters)

Hopes fading as over 250 still missing

Rescue teams so far, have recovered the bodies of 99 people buried after the rupture last week of a Vale tailings dam.

With over 250 people still missing, hope of finding more survivors is fading.

(Photograph:Reuters)

Search for survivors intensified

The search for survivors intensified on Monday, with the support of an Israeli contingent, after communities were devastated by a dam collapse that killed around 100 people at a Brazilian mining complex.

(Photograph:AFP)