Death toll in Rio mudslides rises to 102, with 60 still missing

Apr 7, 2010, 19:35 GMT

   Rio de Janeiro - The death toll rose to 102 from heavy rains and mudslides in and around Rio de Janeiro, with more than 60 people still missing, according to Brazil's Civil Defence on Wednesday.

Fire Department commander Renato Vale said that the situation is most tragic in the town of Niteroi, 13 kilometres from Rio, where the rain claimed 53 lives and where rescue teams were searching for 47 people who were believed to have been buried under mudslides or under the rubble of their collapsed homes.

Niteroi Mayor Jose Roberto da Silveira declared a state of emergency for the first time in the town's history, and he announced seven days of official mourning.

In Rio - Brazil's most famous and second-largest city, set to host in 2016 the first Olympics ever held in South America - the rain claimed at least 37 lives. A further 18 people remained missing.

The rain was less intense Wednesday, although life did not immediately go back to normal on the streets of Rio.

Several neighbourhoods remained isolated because key avenues had been cut off by mudslides and flooding. Lessons in schools and universities remained suspended Wednesday, for the second consecutive day.

The football match that Rio club Flamengo and Universidad de Chile were set to play Wednesday in the prestigious South American tournament Copa Libertadores was postponed until at least Thursday. The changing rooms at Maracana stadium were flooded, among other damage.