Daily World Buzz: Vandalism creates panic in Rio, where 538 people have died

Friday, January 14, 2011

Vandalism creates panic in Rio, where 538 people have died

RIO DE JANEIRO, 14 The chaos of the storm has unleashed a wave of vandalism in the cities of Freiburg and New Teresópolis, the most affected by heavy rains that have fallen in the state of Rio de Janeiro, where in the last four days 538 people have died. The streets of New Fribourg Teresópolis Friday dawned full of mud and debris washed away.

This same picture was the one who could feel about the president of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, during his visit Thursday to the mountains of Rio de Janeiro, devastated by torrential. The lack of electricity, clean water, food and disruption of telephone services has been the breeding ground for crime that has harnessed this contingency to dock stores.

Rumors of a possible wave of looting has sparked panic in the population psychologically affected by the incalculable material losses have to face, in addition to the deaths of their relatives, although some keep the hope of finding anyone alive under the rubble. "I have to protect what little I have, I'm afraid it away from me, I've lost almost everything," expressed one of the thousands victims who have made statements to the media who have been able to reach some of the areas hit by rains.

In Nova Friburgo, some 140 kilometers from the city of Rio de Janeiro, the fear of looting has been accompanied to the rumors about the possible rupture of a dam near the city. Local television has broadcast images of dozens of people crying and running around the streets looking for shelter.

The mayor has denied that version, but the inhabitants of the city hardest hit by the rains believe the situation will be even worse. "People are in panic. Is everyone in fear," expressed the municipal secretary of Communication, David Massena, quoted by the Agencia Brasil. Local authorities have confirmed the deaths of 538 people in that region of southeastern Brazil.

Nova Friburgo tops the list of fatalities with 246, followed with 228 and Teresópolis Petrópolis with 41, according to figures released by the newspapers 'Folha' and 'O Globo'. This is the greatest natural tragedy that shook Brazil since 1967 when some 785 people died from floods and landslides, according to UN figures released by the local press.

Firefighters do not rule out that the number of victims in Rio de Janeiro will increase as removing the rubble, where more bodies might be buried. Other states such as Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais have declared a state of alert in some municipalities due to heavy rainfall. A total of thirteen people have died this week in Sao Paulo by the downpours.

Daily World Buzz

Friday, January 14, 2011

Vandalism creates panic in Rio, where 538 people have died

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