Landslides claim 13 lives in southeast Brazil

At least 13 people have been killed after landslides triggered by heavy rains struck a mountainous area in Brazil’s southeastern state of Rio de Janeiro.

The landslides hit the tourist town of Petropolis, located about 65 kilometers (40 miles) north of the city of Rio, after a river burst its banks and flooded the area, the state-run BBC reported.

An emergency task group of the Brazilian National Force has been deployed to the region to assist local authorities.

More than 500 people are believed to have lost their homes. Officials say a baby and two emergency workers are among the victims.

Rio state governor Sergio Cabral urged residents to leave high-risk areas and to seek refuge in shelters provided by city authorities amid worsening downpours.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said more “drastic measures” would be needed to remove people living in the areas of danger. “Our prevention system warns the people,” she noted.

Rousseff added, “What I think is that a little more drastic measures will have to be taken so people don’t stay where they are not supposed to be.”

Petropolis Mayor Rubens Bomtempo has called on residents to remain indoors and warned of the possibility of more landslides.

The area around Petropolis has seen deadly landslides before. More than 900 people died in January 2011, when heavy downpours caused flooding and landslides.