In Brazil, 94 people have died in a storm in a popular tourist town [papildināts]

At least 94 people have been killed in landslides and floods on Tuesday in the popular tourist city of Petropole, north of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, the city council said on Wednesday.

There were at least eight children among the dead. It is not yet known how many people have disappeared.

The state government of Rio de Janeiro has announced that at least 21 survivors have been rescued. More than 377 people were housed in schools and other temporary shelters, and charities called for the donation of mattresses, food, water, clothing and face masks.

There were 180 firefighters and rescue workers in picturesque Petropolis, where Brazil’s last emperor Pedro II was buried, 68 kilometers north of Rio de Janeiro.

The city council has declared a “disaster situation”, but many photos with ruined buildings and flood-washed cars have been published on social networks. The city council also declared three days of mourning for the dead.

The streams of water that flowed through the historic center have completely flooded many shops.

Precipitation in some areas of Petropole reached 260 millimeters in less than six hours, which is more than was forecast for the whole of February, the meteorological service MetSul reported.

The biggest rains are already behind us, but moderate rainfall will continue for several hours, the authorities said.

President Jairie Bolsonaru, who is currently visiting Russia, said on Twitter that he was following “this tragedy” closely and called on ministers to “provide immediate assistance to the victims”.

In January, at least 28 people were killed in floods and landslides caused by heavy rains in southeastern Brazil, mainly in São Paulo. In December, heavy rains in the northeastern state of Bahia claimed the lives of 24 people.

In January 2011, more than 900 people died in floods and landslides over a large area, including Petropolis and the neighboring towns of Nova Friburg and Teresopol.

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