Rescue operations continue at full capacity across southeastern Brazil’s Minas Gerais state as authorities confirm the death toll from catastrophic rainfall has reached 59 individuals. The state government reported on Thursday that 15 people remain unaccounted for following the devastating weather event that triggered widespread destruction.
The municipality of Juiz de Fora has emerged as the epicenter of this tragedy, accounting for 53 of the confirmed fatalities. Emergency response teams face particularly challenging conditions in this region where entire structures succumbed to powerful landslides and building collapses. In the neighboring municipality of Uba, officials have verified six fatalities with two additional persons reported missing.
Round-the-clock rescue efforts are underway with emergency personnel implementing rotational shifts to maintain continuous operations. Specialized teams equipped with heavy machinery and search dogs are meticulously combing through debris fields in areas most severely impacted by the geological disturbances. The coordinated response involves multiple agencies working in tandem to locate survivors and recover victims amidst unstable terrain conditions.
Meteorological reports indicate the region experienced unprecedented precipitation levels that saturated soil beyond capacity, resulting in catastrophic ground movements. Civil defense authorities have established emergency shelters for displaced residents while geotechnical experts assess ongoing geological risks in the affected watersheds.