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Giant mudslide wipes out motorway in Brazil

At least two people were killed and dozens more are missing after a landslide ripped across a section of motorway in southern Brazil, sweeping around 20 cars and lorries along with it
At least two people were killed and dozens more are missing after a landslide ripped across a section of motorway in southern Brazil, sweeping around 20 cars and lorries along with it

At least two people were killed and dozens more are missing after a landslide ripped across a section of motorway in southern Brazil, sweeping around 20 cars and lorries along with it.

The torrent of mud came rushing down a steep hillside on Monday after days of heavy rain in the state of Parana.

"It's hard to know the exact number of victims. A vehicle could have one to five people inside. We're working with an estimate of 30 to 50 people missing," local emergency response chief Manoel Vasco told a news conference.

Aerial images released by the emergency services showed a massive smear of mud that swept away everything in its path - including a chunk of highway and the vehicles on it.

Rescue workers said the bad weather and remote location were complicating the search effort.
Rescue workers said the bad weather and remote location were complicating the search effort.

Rescue workers said the bad weather and remote location were complicating the search effort.

They are using drones with heat-detecting cameras in the hope of finding survivors.

"Fifty-four firefighters have been working non-stop for more than 35 hours," the Parana state security authority said.

Two bodies have been found so far, and six survivors have been located, including the mayor of the coastal town of Guaratuba, the nearest city
Two bodies have been found so far, and six survivors have been located, including the mayor of the coastal town of Guaratuba, the nearest city

Two bodies have been found so far, and six survivors have been located, including the mayor of the coastal town of Guaratuba, the nearest city.

"It was horrible. The mountain just fell on top of us. It swept away every last car. We're only alive by the grace of God," the mayor, Roberto Justus, said in a video posted on social media.

Brazil is frequently hit by deadly landslides.

At least one other person died Wednesday after a section of road was washed out, sweeping away the victim's car, in the northeastern state of Segipe, Brazilian media reported.

In February, more than 200 people were killed in a series of landslides in the picturesque southeastern tourist town of Petropolis.