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Rescue teams use heavy machinery to dig for bodies and survivors
The worst rains in Rio’s history have triggered about 200 mudslides since Monday destroying homes in hillside community slums, killing as many as 200 people, injuring hundreds more, and leaving thousands without shelter.
The latest significant mudslide swept away at least 50 houses in the Bumba Hill slum, in the city of Niteroi, across a bay from Rio de Janeiro, a report said.
A aerial view of Morro do Bumba area after a landslide at Vicoso Jardim neighborhood in Niteroi, 15 miles (24 km) away from downtown Rio de Janeiro, April 8, 2010. Credit: REUTERS/Sergio Moraes. Image may be subject to copyright. For more images see links below.
Disaster Summary:
- Historic torrential rains began on Monday, flooding many areas of Rio and throughout the Rio de Janeiro state, triggering deadly mudslides.
- Up to 200 mudslides have wreaked devastation throughout the state.
- As many as 5,000 homes/shacks mostly in Rio’s slum areas may have been destroyed.
- About 200 people are reported dead.
- Hundreds more are injured.
- As many as 200 are believed to be buried under mountains of mud.
- About 25,000 people are left without shelter.
- More than 10,000 structures are at risk of collapse.
- Niteroi is believed to be the worst affected area with up to 120 people killed by the mud avalanches.
- At least 60 have been killed in Rio.
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