Brazil: Fourteen Victims Killed, 11 Injured in Deadly Landslide

Brazilian authorities report that at least 14 people have died after a landslide in the town of Niteroi in Rio de Janeiro which happened Sunday.

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Almost 200 rescue workers responded to the call Sunday which left 11 injured and six houses destroyed, Rio de Janeiro’s fire department confirmed. Two children and an infant were injured in the landslide and transferred to regional medical centers for treatment.

Authorities say that some 10 Morro da Bora Esperança community residents are still missing while the death toll is expected to rise.

In a statement, authorities admitted that the Department of State Mineral Resources had not considered the region at risk for any natural disasters.

However, Fire Department Commander, Roberto Robadey told local media, "It rained a lot in the last two days, Niterói was in a state of emergency and alert (...). The communities were advised about this situation with the recommendation of finding safe places to live.”

Victims are still being identified, officials say.

Reports show that since 2013, Niteroi’s mayor has invested nearly US$40 million in an effort to manage the slopes. The incident is believed to have been triggered a disturbance of stone within the environmental preservation, the Boa Esperança community said.