Rio de Janeiro Mountain Rains Cause 109 Deaths

Torrential rains in the mountain region of Rio de Janeiro state have killed at least 109 people, including three firemen who were buried in a mudslide, the state Civil Defense said in an e-mailed statement.

The most affected areas were in the towns of Teresopolis, Petropolis and Nova Friburgo, where the firemen, who had been sent to help victims, died. Today, 150 search-and-rescue workers were sent to the region to join the 200 who arrived there yesterday, the note said.