A touching story of compassion: rescuing dozens of animals trapped in quicksand after a mine disaster in Brazil

This is the incredible moment a fireman rescued a dog trapped in the mud after a mining disaster ravaged the Bento Rodrigues village in Brazil.

It was a brief heartwarming moment in the days since dams holding mining waste burst at a Brazilian iron ore mine on Thursday.

At least four people have died and 28 more are still missing in what is one of the worst mining disasters in the country’s history.

A fireman rescues a dog trapped in the mud in Paracatu de Baixo, Minas Gerais, Brazil

It was a brief heartwarming moment in the days since dams holding mining waste burst at a Brazilian iron ore mine on Thursday

At least four people have died and 28 more are still missing in what is one of the worst mining disasters in the country’s history

Of the 28 people listed as missing late Sunday, 13 were mine workers.

The 600-person Bento Rodrigues community, which sits in the shadow of the broken dams in the heart of Brazil’s iron ore belt, was hit the hardest.

Exhausted search teams waded through waist-deep mud as thick as wet concrete among the remains of the village, which is located six hours north of Rio de Janeiro.

The mud has forced cities more than 200 miles downstream to cut off their drinking water as it runs past the well-populated banks of the Rio Doce river.

Health authorities are checking the toxicity of the waters and told residents who came in contact with the mud to throw out their clothing.

Biologists warn that the environmental impact may be permanent, devastating local fisheries and farms.

Of the 28 people were listed as missing late Sunday, 13 were mine workers. Pictured above the firefighter is seen carrying the dog which is covered in mud

The mud has forced cities more than 200 miles downstream to cut off drinking water as it runs past the well-populated banks of the Rio Doce river

The 600-person Bento Rodrigues community (pictured) was hit the hardest. It sits in the shadow of the broken dams in the heart of Brazil’s iron ore belt

Searchers used small airplanes and a drone to look for missing people after the mud submerged the village

Residents and officials have also criticized what they say has been lax communication by mine operator Samarco, a joint venture between the world’s largest mining company, BHP Billiton Ltd, and the biggest iron ore miner, Vale SA.

The Samarco mine is located in the so-called iron quadrangle, one of the most heavily mined regions in the world.

Displaced residents, whose homes were destroyed or damaged by sludge stained with mineral waste, were especially critical of Samarco for the uncertainty they now face.

Authorities said as many as 580 people at present are taking shelter in hotels or with family and friends.

Samarco is paying for accommodations and relocation, but those affected complain that the company has given few answers about how long the displacements might last or how they might eventually repair or replace damaged homes.