Death Toll Rises to 78 From Mudslides After Storm in Brazil

Residents and volunteers remove the body of a mudslide victim in Petropolis, Brazil, on Feb. 16, 2022. Silvia Izquierdo/AP Photo

PETROPOLIS, Brazil—The death toll from devastating mudslides and floods that swept through a mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro state has reached 78, Gov. Claudio Castro said Wednesday afternoon.

The city of Petropolis was slammed by a deluge Tuesday, and Castro said almost 400 people were left homeless. Searchers picked through the wreckage throughout the day and 21 people were recovered alive.