By Tatiana Pollastri and Éleonore Hughes -
The Associated Press
Floods and landslides in São Paulo (Brazil) had caused at least 44 deaths as of Tuesday, while authorities continue to search for dozens of missing persons in that state in the south of the country.
The search has focused mainly on the coastal municipality of São Sebastião, where almost all the deaths have been recorded.
Firefighters hope to find more people alive in the houses affected by the mudslides during this weekend's deluge, said Pedro de Rosario, a municipal employee.
The road connecting the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Santos is blocked by landslides triggered by heavy rains near Barra do Sahi beach in the coastal city of Sao Sebastiao, Brazil, February 20, 2023. Andre Penner / AP
“Hope is the last thing to die, so we have a lot of hope,” said de Rosario.
"There are still people buried."
Seven bodies have been identified, which have already been delivered to their relatives for burial, while
800 people have lost their homes and 1,730 have been displaced
, the São Paulo state government reported in a statement.
Rescuers search for survivors in the floods of São Sebastião, in Brazil, on February 20, 2023. Andre Penner / AP
Members of the armed forces have joined the search and rescue efforts and starting Thursday the Navy will build a 300-bed hospital, Governor Tarcisio de Freitas said Tuesday at a press conference in São Sebastião.
Authorities removed the mud and cleared the roads, but parts of the route between Rio de Janeiro and the port city of Santos remain blocked.
Another road, from the city of Bortiga to São Paulo, is totally blocked.
A village under a hill after a landslide in São Sebastião, Brazil, on February 20, 2023. Andre Penner / AP
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visited the region on Monday.
Speaking to the press, he said that hillside dwellers should be moved to safer regions.
Rainfall in São Sebastião exceeded 600 millimeters (23.6 inches) in a 24-hour span over the weekend, some of the heaviest in such a short period in Brazil.
Residents of Juquehy beach, Brazil, leave their homes after mudslides, on February 20, 2023. Andre Penner / AP
7.5 tons of food, water and first aid items have been distributed, reported the São Paulo government.
The affected area, on the northern coast of São Paulo, famous for its mountain-fringed beaches, is a Carnival destination for wealthy tourists who prefer to get away from the massive street parties in big cities.
