After landslide in Brazil: death toll rises to 152

The death toll from the devastating landslides in Brazil has risen to 152. Almost 170 people are still missing. Five days after the accident, however, there is little hope of finding survivors.

After landslides and floods in Petrópolis north of the Brazilian metropolis of Rio de Janeiro, the death toll has risen to 152. Another 165 people are still missing, as reported by the news portal G1, citing civil defense. Almost 1000 people became homeless.

Heavy and persistent rain showers have been falling in the region for days. According to the weather station Climatempo, on Tuesday alone it rained in six hours more than was expected for the whole month of February. Slopes slid, streets were flooded, cars were swept away by the water masses.

Bolsonaro: “Picture almost like in war”

“It was the worst rain in Petrópolis since 1932,” said Governor Cláudio Castro. Slopes slid, cars were swept away by the water masses, roads were blocked.

Hundreds of firefighters and police officers are involved in the rescue and clean-up work. “Our task now is to get life in the city going again,” Castro said. “We have mobilized teams and machines and will do whatever is necessary to rebuild the city and ease the pain of the victims’ families.” Both state and private fundraisers were launched.

Head of state Jair Bolsonaro said on a visit to Petrópolis on Friday that the destruction offered an “image almost like that of war”.

Already in 2011 many deaths due to storms

Petrópolis is located in the mountains of the state of Rio de Janeiro. In the city is the summer residence of the former imperial court of Brazil. In January 2011, more than 900 people died in the mountainous region when heavy rains caused flooding and landslides.

January, February and March see repeated heavy rains in Rio and the region. In addition, the residents have often built their houses illegally on mountain slopes that are prone to landslides.

The search teams are still hoping to be able to recover more victims. So far 24 people have been rescued alive. However, the unstable weather repeatedly hampered the rescue work.