Thousands of traumatised mudslide survivors navigated steep, slippery jungle paths to find food, water and medicine as they slowly gave up hope that government rescuers would reach them quickly enough in remote mountain villages. Those who escaped unharmed from the slides that killed 591 people over four days ferried bottles of water and sacks of groceries on their backs after trekking five miles to the centre of the mountain town of Teresopolis, north of Rio. Local and state fire departments said they had deployed 2,500 rescuers, while 225 federal policeman were in the area to maintain order. The federal government has been trying to fly in 11 helicopters to remote areas, but has found it difficult because of poor weather conditions. The mudslides hit an area of nearly 900 square miles in an area of lush, forested mountains about 40 miles north of Rio. The deaths are centred in Teresopolis and three other towns, where many wealthier citizens of Rio maintain weekend homes. (Daily Mail)Sunday 16 January 2011
Horrifying pictures from the towns entombed in mud as Brazil begins to bury hundreds of landslide victims
Thousands of traumatised mudslide survivors navigated steep, slippery jungle paths to find food, water and medicine as they slowly gave up hope that government rescuers would reach them quickly enough in remote mountain villages. Those who escaped unharmed from the slides that killed 591 people over four days ferried bottles of water and sacks of groceries on their backs after trekking five miles to the centre of the mountain town of Teresopolis, north of Rio. Local and state fire departments said they had deployed 2,500 rescuers, while 225 federal policeman were in the area to maintain order. The federal government has been trying to fly in 11 helicopters to remote areas, but has found it difficult because of poor weather conditions. The mudslides hit an area of nearly 900 square miles in an area of lush, forested mountains about 40 miles north of Rio. The deaths are centred in Teresopolis and three other towns, where many wealthier citizens of Rio maintain weekend homes. (Daily Mail)