BUENOS AIRES, Argentina/ANKARA
At least 34 people were killed in mudslides and floods in Brazil as torrential rains swept through a mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro, public news agency Agencia Brasil said Wednesday.
Petropolis municipality said the landslide in the Oficina Hill region, which was most affected by the rains, damaged 80 houses.
"We are facing an extremely serious situation and we are making every effort to ensure helping the public," Mayor Rubens Bomtempo told reporters.
Footage on social media showed flooded streets, parks, and markets, as well as cars and buses being dragged underwater due to the landslides which occurred in the high areas of Petropolis.
Earlier, Rio de Janeiro's Fire Department said more than 180 soldiers were engaged in a search and rescue mission in Petropolis, north of Rio de Janeiro.
At least 25.8 centimeters (10.1 inches) of rain fell Tuesday in Petropolis -- the same amount that fell within the past 30 days combined, said authorities.
The rains left "a high number of incidents and victims," according to Petropolis city hall.
Authorities are concerned that fatalities will rise significantly in the area which witnessed more than 900 deaths and over 100 people missing from heavy rainfall in 2011.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is on an official trip to Russia, said on Twitter that he has instructed the delivery of immediate support to affected communities.
"May God comfort the family members of the victims," he added.
