Death toll from storms in Brazil rises, dozens still missing

EPA The bodies of two victims are carried away

NOS Nieuws•morgen, 00:40

In Brazil, the death toll from the storms in the southeast of the country has risen to 54, authorities report. Another death toll of fifty was reported on Thursday. Fifteen children are among the fatalities.

Heavy rainfall earlier this week led to landslides and flooding in the state of São Paulo. According to the authorities, with 600 millimeters of rain, it was the largest amount of precipitation in one day ever measured.

At least 30 people are still missing. The city of São Sebastião has been particularly hard hit. More than 4,000 people have had to leave their homes in and around that city. The rescue work is now in full swing. A Brazilian army ship arrived on Thursday to act as an emergency hospital.

Authorities vow to “restore and rebuild” the city. Tourists are asked not to come to the area to avoid overloading hospitals, roads and other facilities.

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