Brasil no mundo - Death toll in Brazil mudslides rises to 76

 

 

 

 

 

The death toll in mudslides in Brazil, triggered by incessant rains and deadly floods, has risen to 66, and the government says it may temporarily close down two nuclear plants affected by landslides.

Addressing a news conference on Sunday, Rio de Janeiro Mayor Tuca Jordao said that if landslides continue in the hills, the two nuclear plants, Angra I and Angra II, will be shut down.

The seaside town of Angra overlooks Ilha Grande Island, where 29 people were killed in Friday's landslides, including 28 in the luxurious Hotel Sankay nestled at the foot of a jungle-covered hill. Another 15 people were killed in the center of Angra.

Mayor Jordao said he gave the shut down warning for the nuclear plants because in the event of a catastrophe, there was no way to quickly evacuate the city's more than 35,000 inhabitants, since the main road leading out is partly blocked by landslides.

He added that the plants' closure would not affect electricity supplies to Rio de Janeiro, which has alternative power sources.

Since Wednesday, dozens have gone missing and more than 4,000 people have evacuated their homes, Civil Defense officials said on Sunday. They added that the rescue crews are continuing the search for victims among the mud and rubble at the Hotel Sankay.