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At least 30 people have died in a “massive landslide” in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais
The disaster was caused by “record” levels of rain in the region and a river bursting its banks, wiping out numerous homes in the hillside neighborhood of Juiz de Fora, and leaving approximately 440 people homeless
U.K. newspaper The Guardian reports that 39 people remain missing, with Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva confirming on X that a “state of calamity” had been declared
30 people have been killed after a landslide in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, authorities have confirmed.
According to the BBC, the majority of the deaths were reported in the hillside neighborhood of Juiz de Fora, in the state of Minas Gerais, where 18 people were killed, while another seven lost their lives in Ubá.
U.K. newspaper The Guardian reports that 39 people remain missing in the disaster, which occurred when a river in the state burst its banks on Tuesday, Feb. 24, due to “record” levels of rain. The outlet added that 200 people had already been rescued.
Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
Credit: Pablo PORCIUNCULA / AFP via Getty
Firefighter Maj Demetrius Goulart told news agency AFP Brazil that twelve houses in Juiz de Fora had been swept away in the “massive landslide,” as cited by The Guardian.
In a statement on X, Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sent his “deepest condolences” to the families of the victims and those who lost their homes.
He also said that the government had declared a “state of calamity” in Juiz de Fora, adding that the National Health System (SUS) and the National Civil Defense were “working on high alert” to assist with rescue efforts.
Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, on February 24, 2026
Credit: Pablo PORCIUNCULA / AFP via Getty
His post continued, “In the coming hours and days, we will remain on standby to act with the speed and force that the moment demands. Our focus is to guarantee humanitarian assistance, the restoration of basic services, aid to displaced people, and support for reconstruction.”
The BBC reports that around 440 people have been left homeless by the disaster, with local government providing temporary shelter and asking for donations of water, food, clothing, and hygiene supplies.
According to the outlet, Mayor Margarida Salomão said the incident was the “saddest” moment in her five years in local government and declared three days of official mourning in Juiz de Fora.
Appearing on local network, TV Globo, Valtencir Coutinho de Miranda said he was trying to find his 5-year-old daughter among the debris. “We are here to find her, with God giving us strength and comforting our hearts, so that we may find her alive,” he said, per the BBC.
Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, on February 24, 2026
Credit: Pablo PORCIUNCULA / AFP via Getty
Another man, searching for his nephew, tearfully told the network, “In that moment, you don’t choose who you help, you just do your best to help.”
PEOPLE has reached out to the National Health System (SUS) and the National Civil Defense, as well as the local fire service, but didnt immediately receive responses.
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As reported by The Guardian, Brazil has suffered numerous tragedies in recent years due to extreme weather events linked to climate change.
In 2024, more than 200 people died due to unprecedented flooding in southern Brazil, while two years earlier, a deluge in the city of Petrópolis outside Rio de Janeiro left 241 people dead.
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