13 dead, 20 missing after mudslide in southeast Brazil

13 dead, 20 missing after mudslide in southeast Brazil

2012-01-11 09:53:34 GMT+7 (ICT)

RIO DE JANEIRO (BNO NEWS) -- The death toll as a result of a mudslide in the southeastern Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro has reached at least 13, officials said on Tuesday. Around 20 others remain missing.

The incident happened on Monday in the town of Sapucaia and followed days of continuous rains. The bodies of five people, aged between 22 and 72, were recovered on early Tuesday morning, raising the death toll to at least 13.

Among the other casualties are at least two children, although three victims had not yet been identified by Tuesday evening. At least 20 people are believed to remain missing as heavy rain continues to hamper rescue efforts.

At least 100 people have been evacuated from the area following the mudslide, which buried eight homes. Authorities in the region have warned residents to be on alert for further mudslides as the severe weather continues.

A second landslide in the area was also reported on Monday, but there were no reports of casualties. The region has been affected by floods and mudslides since the beginning of the rainy season in October.

In January 2011, about 900 people were killed as a result of severe floods and landslides in the southeastern mountainous region of Brazil.

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