Tragedy in Brazil's Petropolis

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL â FEBRUARY 23: Search and rescue works continue in the Petropolis after storm in Rio De Janeiro on February 23, 2022. Authorities have been deployed and are searching for victims in the region's rivers. 195 deaths have been reported a week after the storm that slammed Petropolis on Tuesday. The search continues, with more than 600 military personnel, around 500 from the Rio de Janeiro Fire Department, and the remainder dispatched in solidarity from neighboring states. 24 individuals were saved alive, according to the Rio de Janeiro corporation, and effort is not limited to areas hit by landslides. Victims are also being sought in the rivers that run through the city, based on claims from witnesses and family members. Drones and ground personnel are utilized to scan the waterways, finding sites of interest and deploying a fireman who is trained to dive to such locations," the Fire Department says. Women account for more than 60% of the dead, according to statistics. The deaths of 32 youngsters have been confirmed. The victim identification process is handled by the Legal Medical Institute (IML), which is attached to the Civil Police. 153 bodies have been released and buried so far. The storm hit Petropolis, and the Rio de Janeiro government declared it the worst rainstorm in the city since 1932. According to the Rio de Janeiro Fire Department, 258.6 millimeters of rain fell in just three hours, causing havoc in various districts. According to the state government, 26,500 tons of waste and debris have been cleaned from the streets of Petropolis. Around 600 men and 250 pieces of equipment are involved in the project. (Photo by Fabio Teixeira/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)