Death toll reaches 204 from landslides, floods in Brazil

SAO PAULO: FEB. 24 – The death toll from mudslides and floods in the Brazilian city of Petropolis, in the state of Rio de Janeiro’s southeast, rose to 204 on Wednesday, according to authorities.

At least 51 people remained missing, according to police, as rescue efforts continued to recover victims from the mountains of mud that buried homes.

According to a spokesman for the state of Rio de Janeiro’s Fire Department, search and rescue efforts were halted on Wednesday due to storms in the area. On February 15, Petropolis, a city 68 kilometers from Rio de Janeiro, was pounded by heavy rains, resulting in more than 50 mudslides and floods.

Petropolis, Brazil’s historic tourism hub, still has 810 evacuees who have been living in school shelters for the past week.