Death toll in storm-hit Brazilian city surpasses 200
Rio de Janeiro, Feb 23 (EFE).- The death toll due to flash flooding and landslides caused by torrential rain in the Brazilian city of Petrópolis has surpassed 200, while the search continues for more than 50 missing people a week after the tragedy.
Petrópolis, located just an hour and a half by car from the city of Rio de Janeiro, accumulated 259 millimeters of rain in six hours on Feb. 15, a downpour that turned streets into rivers and caused more than 1,400 landslides in various areas of the city.
According to the latest official data on Wednesday, 204 deaths from the catastrophe have been reported so far, while the search for 51 missing continues.
Of the deaths, the majority are women and more than 30 are minors.
Since the night of the tragedy, the Civil Defense and the Fire Department have endured inclement weather and have rescued 24 people alive.
On Tuesday, heavy rains flooded part of the city again, although there were no fatalities or injuries.
The Mayor’s Office reported that 811 people who lost their homes are temporarily sheltered in 13 schools and noted that support is also being provided to those who are in improvised shelters by the same communities.
Known as the Imperial City, for having been the favorite of Pedro II, the last emperor of Brazil, Petrópolis is one of the most touristic cities in the state of Rio de Janeiro. EFE
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