Mudslides and floods claim at least 117 lives in Brazil's Petropolis, police say 116 missing
Categories: FOREIGN COUNTRIES
The death toll from floods and landslides that swept down on the mountain city of Petropolis rose to at least 117 on Thursday and local officials said it could still rise sharply, with 116 more still unaccounted for. The Rio de Janeiro state government confirmed the rising loss of life, with many feared buried in the mud beneath the German-influenced city nestled in the mountains above the city of Rio de Janeiro. Survivors dug through the ruined landscape to find loved ones even as more landslides appeared likely on the city's slopes. A small slide Thursday prompted an evacuation but didn't cause injuries.As evening came, heavy showers returned to the region, sparking renewed concern among residents and rescue workers. Authorities insisted those living in at-risk areas should evacuate.As some people tried to clear away mud, others began burying lost relatives, with 17 funerals at the damaged cemetery. "Every detail is important so we can track people," said Rio police investigator Elen Souto. "We need people to inform the full name of the missing person, their ID, physical traits and the clothes that person was wearing." Petropolis, named for a former Brazilian emperor, has been a refuge for people escaping the summer heat and tourists keen to explore the so-called "Imperial City." "No one could predict rain as hard as this," Castro said. More rain was expected through the rest of the week, according to weather forecasters.Castro added that almost 400 people were left homeless and 24 people were recovered alive. They were fortunate, and they were few.Lisa Torres Machado, 64, said "the hand of God" spared her family from tragedy.Southeastern Brazil has been punished with heavy rains since the start of the year, with more than 40 deaths recorded between incidents in Minas Gerais state in early January and Sao Paulo state later the same month.