Brazil Storm Death Toll Rises To 186

Brasilia, Feb 23: The death toll from flash floods and landslides that hit the Brazilian city of Petropolis rose to 186, a week after torrential rains lashed the tourist town, officials informed on Wednesday. Rescue workers have been digging through the mud and wreckage searching for victims left by devastating the landslides that mainly hit poor hillside communities, Al Jazeera reported.

Authorities said that as of now 69 people are still missing. However, this number is likely to come down as more and more dead bodies are recovered and victims identified. More than 850 people who lost their homes or had to be evacuated to emergency shelters.