Floods and landslides kill hundreds in Brazil

Floods and landslides have devastated mountain towns near Rio de Janeiro, bringing the death toll last night from heavy rains in Brazil's south to at least 257.

At least 130 people were killed in Teresopolis, about 62 miles north of Rio, town officials said, after hillsides and riverbanks buckled under the equivalent of a month's rainfall in 24 hours, sending water and mud surging through communities.

Twenty people died in the city of Petropolis, and 107 in the town of Nova Friburgo, officials said. The rains sweeping south-eastern Brazil also killed 13 people in So Paulo state and snarled transport in the country's financial capital.

Teresopolis mayor Jorge Mario said: "Rescue teams are still arriving in the areas that have been worst affected. It's the biggest catastrophe in the history of the town."

Thousands of people in the picturesque area, known as the Serrana region, were isolated by the flood waters and cut off from power and telephone contact.

The downpour caused a river to burst its banks, submerging cars and destroying houses.

"I saw six bodies on my street," said Teresopolis resident Antonio Venancio, whose house was inundated with mud but remained standing. "We just don't know what to do in the face of something so horrible."

Rio state governor Sergio Cabral said he had asked the navy for aircraft to take rescue crews and equipment to the region.

"We mourn the loss of lives in this tragedy," he said.