Death toll in Sao Paulo floods rises to 13

[News_Editor]

Death toll in Sao Paulo floods rises to 13

2011-01-12 08:57:23 GMT+7 (ICT)

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL (BNO NEWS) -- Sao Paulo's Fire Department on Tuesday informed that at least 13 people have died due to the heavy rains and flooding in the populous Brazilian state, the Jornal do Brasil reported.

Heavy rains began falling on Monday in Sao Paulo state, killing so far at least 13 people. The rains caused mudslides and flooding in some areas of the state and, in cities, houses collapsed due to the high amounts of water.

Five women died in Sao Jose dos Campos, three people in Maua, three in the state capital Sao Paulo, one in Mogi das Cruzes, and one in the tourist town of Embu das Artes.

Authorities said that two children aged 3 and 11 were among the victims in Sao Jose dos Campos but rescue teams were able to rescue two teenagers alive. The boys, aged 13 and 16, were transported to a local hospital.

In Maua, houses collapsed all across the city, killing three people. One victim died after his house collapsed over him while two more residents died in other collapses and two more were rescued alive by firefighters.

In the state's capital Sao Paulo, a mother and a daughter were killed after their home fell down. The two women were initially rescued from the debris and rushed to a nearby hospital. However, the two died shortly after admission due to the injuries sustained. Authorities reported that another resident also died in the state capital.

However, Sao Paulo's Fire Department also informed this Tuesday that firefighters rescued at least 176 people in the state, 99 of them in Sao Paulo and nearby areas. The Department announced that it has increased rescue efforts as well.

On December 1, 2010, the Fire Department launched "Operation Heavy Rains" in order to assess residents and respond to emergencies in the season. The operation simulated rescue efforts in floods, landslides, falling trees, among other disasters.

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