The death toll in Petrópolis rose to 178, according to the Rio de Janeiro State Military Fire Brigade (CBMERJ) reported this Monday (21). Rescue teams continue to search the city after the destruction caused by the storm last Tuesday (15).
So far, teams are looking for 126 missing people, according to Civil Police data. The number of people who receive assistance from Social Assistance is 847, informed the city of Petrópolis.
The tragedy is the biggest in the history of Petrópolis, surpassing the rains of 1998, in which 134 people died after landslides and floods. In 2011, the region was also hit by strong storms, which caused 73 deaths.
Last Tuesday’s heavy rain caused 642 landslides across the city, which is in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro. Several floods also caused destruction and deaths. It rained about 260 millimeters in just six hours, the amount of rain expected for the entire month of February.
According to the monitoring of the technical team, there is still the possibility of rain in the coming days.
Civil Defense advises the population to be aware of the issuance of new warnings and, in case of emergency, call 193 (Fire Department) and 199 (Civil Defense).
Work to identify missing persons
The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro began, this Monday (21), a DNA collection effort to identify and locate missing people in Petrópolis. The works have the support of the Court of Justice and Public Defender’s Office.
Each day, 20 families will be called who have already reported disappearances in different parts of the city.
Photos – Impacts of the rains in Petrópolis
The collection of genetic material will be done at a club in the Center of Petrópolis, from 9 am to 12 pm and from 1 pm to 5 pm, strictly for those summoned by appointment. Each family that contributes DNA will receive a basic food basket.
Source: CNN Brasil
