Heavy rains kill at least 7 in Rio de Janeiro state, 4-year-old rescued after 16 hours under mud

PETROPOLIS, Brazil (AP) — Heavy rains in Rio de Janeiro state have killed not less than seven individuals, authorities mentioned Saturday, whereas a 4-year-old lady was rescued after greater than 16 hours beneath mud.

The lady was pulled out alive within the metropolis of Petropolis, 69 kilometers (43 miles) north of Rio. Rescue groups needed to cease their work Friday evening due to dangers of latest landslides within the area.

The lady’s father died as a home was knocked to the bottom. She survived as a result of he protected her together with his physique, members of rescue groups mentioned. Three extra individuals died in the identical place.

“My son was a warrior, he spent all that point there and saved his little daughter,” Roberto Napoleão, the grandfather of the lady, advised journalists. “You possibly can’t think about what it’s wish to lose a son. It hurts a lot.”

Mayors within the state and Gov. Claudio Castro had alarmed residents of potential issues for the weekend since Thursday.

Firefighters have struggled to succeed in these hit by heavy rains, a lot of them residents of lengthy endangered areas. Sniffing canines have been additionally a part of the rescue efforts. Nearly 100 individuals had been saved, authorities mentioned.

Native authorities in Teresopolis, near Petropolis, mentioned that one individual was nonetheless lacking after the heavy rains.

Meteorologists say the heavy rains that hit Rio state are transferring in direction of the neighboring state of Espirito Santo.