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Number of confirmed deaths in Petrópolis rises to 129

Number of confirmed deaths in Petrópolis rises to 129

The Fire Department confirmed the 129th death as a result of the storm that hit Petrópolis on Tuesday (15). Earlier, the Legal Medical Institute (IML), linked to the Civil Police, reported that it had already completed the identification of 57 bodies. Of these, 30 had already been released for burial.

More than 130 people were reported missing by family members, but some were later located in shelters or identified among the dead. As of this morning, at least 57 people were still being sought.

Civil Police drones are being used in rescue activities. The equipment supports the work of the Civil Defense and flies over regions looking for survivors and monitoring affected areas, making it possible to assess the risks of new landslides.

Missing Persons Portal

To facilitate access to official information by family members, the Civil Police launched today (18) the Missing Persons Portal. The delivery of the tool, which had been under development for some time, was anticipated in view of the tragedy in Petrópolis.

Through the portal, it is possible to consult photographs and information on missing persons throughout the state of Rio, whose occurrences have been registered at any physical police station or by the police station. online. “Adjustments, if necessary, will be carried out with the page in operation”, informed the Civil Police.

Search and cleaning in Petrópolis


Cars that obstructed the roads of Petrópolis will go to the yard of Detran-RJ – Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil

The work to search for victims and clean up continues in the different regions of the city. According to the city hall, more than 140 cars that were washed away by the rains and were scattered throughout the city were removed from streets and rivers. Many of them were blocking roads and making it difficult for people to move, as they ended up on the sidewalks.

35 tow trucks and four winches were required for this job. The towed vehicles were taken to the yard of the Department of Traffic of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Detran-RJ), in the Morin neighborhood, where the owners will be able to remove them. As this is a tragedy, there will be no towing fee or fine.

The government of Rio de Janeiro claims that it was the worst rain recorded in the city since 1932. The municipal Civil Defense has been working to evacuate people from risk areas.

The orientation is for residents who do not have the option of staying with family members in a safe area to go to support points. In all, 25 schools were designated by the city hall to receive the homeless.

Health services

The rains also impacted health services, with some services being suspended, including vaccination against covid-19.

“In addition to the difficulty of access for some professionals to the workplace, due to the interdictions, some units also suffered damage from the rain”, informed the Secretary of Health.

The agency adds that it works to restore the normality of care. The ministry is prioritizing operations in units close to Morro da Oficina, the most affected location.

There was a large landslide at the site, which is close to Rua Teresa, a well-known shopping area close to the historic center. The city government estimates that about 80 homes were affected.


Morro da Oficina was one of the most affected in Petrópolis, in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro – Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil

rains that fell yesterday (17) in Petrópolis again generated difficulties for the municipality. Different roads in the city were closed due to flooding and flooding, including Washington Luiz and Coronel Veiga streets, which connect the historic center to the Quintandinha neighborhood.

Throughout the night, sirens installed near risky areas of the city remained on. Residents are also being alerted by cell phone message about the possibility of further precipitation.

Concer, the concessionaire of a 180-kilometer stretch of the BR-040 federal highway, recently reported that the ascent of the Petrópolis mountain range is operating in half lane at two points due to occurrences linked to the rains.

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