94 Confirmed Dead as Families Mourn; Search Continues for Those Still Missing
In the aftermath of devastating floods and mudslides, Rio de Janeiro state officials have confirmed that 94 people have died in Petropolis. The disaster swept away homes and vehicles, leaving residents grieving and officials uncertain of how many more bodies may still be trapped in the mud. Petropolis Mayor Rubens Bomtempo refrained from estimating the number of missing individuals as recovery teams continued their efforts. “We don’t yet know the full scale of this,” Bomtempo remarked in a Wednesday press conference, describing the events as “a hard day, a difficult day” for the mountain city, known for its German heritage.