4 Jan 2010

Death toll rises in Brazilian mudslide

3:11 pm on 4 January 2010

Officials in Brazil put the death toll from floods and mudslides at 85 and say the figure is likely to rise as more bodies are found.

The ABC reports most of the deaths occurred in mudslides, including one that killed six tourists in a car.

Another wiped out a luxury hotel on Ilha Grande, Angra dos Reis, near Rio de Janeiro. So far 29 bodies have been found in the mud.

Officials say the Sankay Lodge was full that when the mudslide hit. About 40 guests, including children, were there for New Year.

Other landslides in Angra dos Reis killed seven people early on Friday.

On Thursday, at least 19 people died as heavy rains triggered mudslides in Rio de Janeiro state.