Brazil: More than 40 dead in landslides

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Firefighters and volunteers search for missing people with shovels, axes or their bare hands.

In eastern Brazil, the clean-up work is underway after severe landslides.

It is already clear: more than 40 people lost their lives.

It is quite possible that the number will increase in the next few days.

Bianca de Jesus, resident:

»It is really very difficult.

It's bad, we're looking for our mother underground, not knowing if she's there or not.

It's tough."

Natalia, resident:

»I knew a lot of people here.

I knew most of the buried people.«

Heavy rainfall has caused landslides and flooding along the coast in recent days.

A big problem is that many houses are built too unstable.

Located on slopes, they are in danger of collapsing in the event of such catastrophes - or even slipping off completely.

There are also dangers from fallen trees.

According to the Brazilian government, almost 2,500 people currently have no roof over their heads.

This man tells of a friend who is still missing.

Carlao, friend of a missing person:

Jose Wilson De Sousa, neighbor and friend of the missing man:

“We are looking for him with a wonderful team of firefighters.

We haven't found him yet, but we will for sure before we leave here.

And he will be fine.”

Brazil has recently been hit several times by severe storms.

Last year, more than 230 people died in floods and landslides in the city of Petrópolis in southeastern Brazil.

Extreme weather events are increasing as a result of climate change.

And more rain is forecast for the region over the next few days.