Brazil Landslide: Death Toll Crosses 65

The death toll in last week’s floods and mudslides triggered by heavy rains in Brazil’s southeastern Sao Paulo state increased to 65. According to Brazilian authorities, 19 minors were killed in this natural disaster.

Defense forces, firefighters, volunteers, and rescue workers are still digging to recover the bodies of the victims. Several people are still missing, which hints that the death toll may increase further.

Most of the victims were inhabitants of a poor neighbourhood in high-risk areas on the slopes of the Sierra de Mar mountain range, near Barra do Sahy, a beach in Sao Sebastiao.

This landslide destroyed the houses of around 2,440 people. The huge pile of mudslides has closed the highway that links Mogi da Cruzes with Bertioga in Sao Paulo state. It is expected that this major road will remain closed for six months.

On February 19, the coastal cities of Bertioga, Caraguatatuba, Guaruja, Ilhabela, Sao Sebastiao, and Ubatuba saw record pouring rain in Brazil in less than 24 hours.