LBCI

Death toll from Brazil dam bursts rises to 20 with streets turned to rivers

Middle East

28-12-2021 | 00:37

Share

Share

Death toll from Brazil dam bursts rises to 20 with streets turned to rivers

2^min

The death toll from floods hammering northeast Brazil rose to 20 on Monday (December 27), as the governor of Bahia state declared it the worst disaster in the state's history and rescuers braced for more rain in the coming days.

Much of Bahia, home to about 15 million people, has suffered from intermittent flooding for weeks, after a long drought gave way to record rains.

Flooding in some areas intensified late on Christmas Eve and early on Christmas Day after a pair of dams gave way sending residents scrambling for higher ground.

Authorities have confirmed that 72 municipalities are in state of emergency.

Rescue workers patrolled in boats around the city of Itabuna, in southern Bahia, plucking residents from their homes, including some who escaped through second-floor windows.

Manfredo Santana, a lieutenant-colonel in Bahia's firefighting corps, told Reuters that emergency workers had rescued 200 people in just three nearby towns. The heavy currents of the swollen Cachoeira River complicated rescue efforts.

"With this volume of water even maneuverability with jet skis was difficult. It is difficult to reduce risks for the pilot or the victim being rescued, there is no use on simply getting into the [inflatable] boat and not being able to do the rescue safely," said Santana.

According to local media, authorities are monitoring an additional ten dams for any signs they may collapse.

REUTERS

Breaking Headlines

Deaths

Brazil

Floods

Streets

Rivers

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Diaspora disengagement: Lebanese expat voter registration for 2026 elections drops sharply compared to 2022

News Bulletin Reports

2025-11-11

Diaspora disengagement: Lebanese expat voter registration for 2026 elections drops sharply compared to 2022

Trump admin halts US offshore wind projects citing 'national security'

2025-12-22

Trump admin halts US offshore wind projects citing 'national security'

President Aoun renews invitation to Syrian President al-Sharaa to visit Lebanon

2025-10-10

President Aoun renews invitation to Syrian President al-Sharaa to visit Lebanon

Iran condemns 'savage' Israeli attacks on Lebanon

Middle East News

2025-11-07

Iran condemns 'savage' Israeli attacks on Lebanon

Videos

Fairuz receives condolences for death of son Hali Rahbani—Video

2026-01-10

Fairuz receives condolences for death of son Hali Rahbani—Video

Pope Leo XIV urges leaders to hear their people’s cry for peace, singles out Lebanon (video)

2025-12-02

Pope Leo XIV urges leaders to hear their people’s cry for peace, singles out Lebanon (video)

At Beirut waterfront, Pope Leo XIV rides through cheering crowds (video)

2025-12-02

At Beirut waterfront, Pope Leo XIV rides through cheering crowds (video)

At Beirut Port, Pope Leo XIV offers silent prayer for blast victims (video)

2025-12-02

At Beirut Port, Pope Leo XIV offers silent prayer for blast victims (video)

Pope Leo XIV opens hospital visit with Arabic ’Sabah el-kheir’ — Video

2025-12-02

Pope Leo XIV opens hospital visit with Arabic ’Sabah el-kheir’ — Video

Pope Leo XIV tells Lebanese youth Lebanon’s future ‘is in your hands’; watch full speech here

2025-12-01

Pope Leo XIV tells Lebanese youth Lebanon’s future ‘is in your hands’; watch full speech here

Pope Leo XIV moved by youth turnout in Bkerke: Video

2025-12-01

Pope Leo XIV moved by youth turnout in Bkerke: Video

Pope Leo leaves for Istanbul—Video

Middle East News

2025-11-27

Pope Leo leaves for Istanbul—Video

Pope Leo arrives at Turkey's Presidential Palace—Video

Middle East News

2025-11-27

Pope Leo arrives at Turkey's Presidential Palace—Video

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Ambassador Issa says US supports Lebanese army, hails Beirut Port scanners

1

Ambassador Issa says US supports Lebanese army, hails Beirut Port scanners

Beirut Wings scandal: Unlicensed instructors and falsified flight records raise safety concerns

2

Beirut Wings scandal: Unlicensed instructors and falsified flight records raise safety concerns

Lebanon charges four with alleged Mossad ties and kidnapping of retired officer

3

Lebanon charges four with alleged Mossad ties and kidnapping of retired officer

EU, Lebanon sign six agreements worth €110.5 million in new grants

4

EU, Lebanon sign six agreements worth €110.5 million in new grants

Saudi, Qatar, Oman convinced Trump to 'give Iran a chance:' AFP

5

Saudi, Qatar, Oman convinced Trump to 'give Iran a chance:' AFP

Israeli army issues evacuation warning to Sohmor residents ahead of strike

6

Israeli army issues evacuation warning to Sohmor residents ahead of strike

Israeli army issues evacuation warning to Machgharah residents

7

Israeli army issues evacuation warning to Machgharah residents

Security upgrades: Beirut Port modernization draws US attention

8

Security upgrades: Beirut Port modernization draws US attention

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More