Due to the impact of the disaster, Ipatinga's Mayor Gustavo Nunes has declared a state of emergency. Estimates suggest that around 150 people are now homeless, with the city located approximately 570 kilometers north of Rio de Janeiro facing an urgent crisis. Mayor Nunes expressed surprise at the intensity of the rainfall, stating, "There was no time for people to prepare."
Of the confirmed fatalities, nine were reported in Ipatinga, while another body has been located about a half-hour drive away in Santana do Paraíso. In a glimmer of hope amid the despair, local media shared stories of two youths who managed to escape from their home, where five of their relatives were tragically lost beneath the rubble.
The landslides also severely damaged the city's health center, leaving it unfit to serve patients in need. Ipatinga's health minister, Walisson Medeiros, indicated that all patients awaiting care were relocated to ensure their safety. Responding to the crisis, neighboring cities have stepped in to provide support during this difficult time.
In a show of solidarity, Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema announced he would visit the affected areas later on Monday, as the community begins the slow process of recovery and support for the victims.
Of the confirmed fatalities, nine were reported in Ipatinga, while another body has been located about a half-hour drive away in Santana do Paraíso. In a glimmer of hope amid the despair, local media shared stories of two youths who managed to escape from their home, where five of their relatives were tragically lost beneath the rubble.
The landslides also severely damaged the city's health center, leaving it unfit to serve patients in need. Ipatinga's health minister, Walisson Medeiros, indicated that all patients awaiting care were relocated to ensure their safety. Responding to the crisis, neighboring cities have stepped in to provide support during this difficult time.
In a show of solidarity, Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema announced he would visit the affected areas later on Monday, as the community begins the slow process of recovery and support for the victims.
