News

Brazil Mudslides Kill at Least 94, Dozens Still Missing

Published

3 years ago

February 17, 2022

The state administration of Rio de Janeiro has reported 94 deaths as a result of floods and mudslides in Petropolis, which swept away homes and cars. Even as families prepared to bury their loved ones, it was unclear how many bodies were still trapped in the mud on Thursday.
The mayor of the German-influenced community tucked in the mountains, Rubens Bontempo, refused to even give an estimate for the number of people missing, even though recovery efforts are still ongoing.
At a news conference on Wednesday, Bomtempo stated, “We don’t yet know the entire scope of this.” “It was a trying day, a trying day.”
Survivors were hunting for lost loved ones more than 24 hours after the devastating rainfall early Tuesday. The public prosecutors’ office in Rio de Janeiro announced in a statement Wednesday night that it had produced a list of 35 people who had yet to be found.
Survivors were hunting for lost loved ones more than 24 hours after the catastrophic deluge early Tuesday. The public prosecutors’ office in Rio de Janeiro announced in a statement Wednesday night that it had produced a list of 35 people who had yet to be found.
Streams dragged cars and houses through the streets, as the water swirled across the city, according to footage shared on social media. Two buses were seen sliding into a flooded river as passengers scrambled for safety through the open windows. Some people didn’t make it to the banks and were washed away, hidden from view.
Houses were covered beneath mud on Wednesday morning, with appliances and cars piled in the streets.
Petropolis, named for a previous Brazilian monarch, has long been a haven for locals seeking relief from the summer heat and tourists eager to see the “Imperial City.”
Its wealth has attracted residents from Rio’s poorer neighborhoods. Its population developed recklessly, clinging to the edges of mountainsides that were now densely packed with little houses. Many live in unsuitable places for construction, which are made more vulnerable by deforestation and poor drainage.
On Tuesday, the state fire department reported that 25.8 centimeters (just over 10 inches) of rain fell in three hours, nearly as much as had fallen over the previous 30 days combined. Claudio Castro, the governor of Rio de Janeiro, claimed in a press conference that the rains were the worst the city had seen since 1932.
“No one could have predicted such heavy rain,” Castro stated. According to weather predictions, more rain is on the way for the rest of the week.
Castro went on to say that about 400 people were displaced and that 24 people were found alive.
The stricken mountain region has seen similar catastrophes in recent decades, including one that caused more than 900 deaths. In the years since Petropolis presented a plan to reduce risks of landslides, but works have been advancing only slowly. The plan, presented in 2017, was based on analysis determining that 18% of the city’s territory was at high risk for landslides and flooding.
Local authorities say more than 180 residents who live in at-risk areas are sheltering in schools. More equipment and manpower are expected to help rescue efforts on Thursday.
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro expressed solidarity while on a trip to Russia. Petropolis’ city hall declared three days of mourning for the tragedy.
Similar disasters have struck the mountainous region in recent decades, including one that killed over 900 people. Since then, Petropolis has presented a strategy to lessen the risk of landslides, but progress has been slow. The plan, which was published in 2017, was based on an analysis that found 18 percent of the city’s land was at high risk of landslides and flooding.
More than 180 residents in high-risk locations are taking refuge in schools, according to local authorities. On Thursday, more equipment and staff would be deployed to aid rescue attempts.
While on a tour to Russia, Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro voiced solidarity. The city of Petropolis has established three days of mourning in honor of the tragedy.
Heavy rains have pounded southeastern Brazil since the beginning of the year, resulting in more than 40 deaths between incidents in Minas Gerais state in early January and Sao Paulo state later that month.

Related Topics:Accessmagazine Accessnews AccessNewsMagazine Brazil foreign Mudslides NewsUpdate

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Africa

Customs hands over illicit drugs worth N117.59m to NDLEA

Published

3 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Matthew Eloyi

Customs hands over illicit drugs worth N117.59m to NDLEA

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area 1 Command, has handed over illicit drugs worth N117.59 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The Comptroller of the command, Mr James Ojo, disclosed this during the handing over of the drugs to Mr Olusegun Adeyeye, the Commander of NDLEA, Idiroko Special Area Command, in Abeokuta, Ogun, on Friday.

Ojo said the customs handed over the seized cannabis and tramadol tablets to the Idiroko Special Command for further investigation in line with the standard operating procedures and inter-agency collaboration.

He said the illicit drugs were seized in various strategic locations between January and November 21, 2024, in Ogun State.

He added that the illicit drugs were abandoned at various locations, including the Abeokuta axis, the Agbawo/Igankoto area of Yewa North Local Government Area, and Imeko Afton axis.

Ojo said that the seizure of the cannabis sativa and tramaling tablets, another brand of tramadol, was made possible through credible intelligence and strategic operations of the customs personnel.

“The successful interception of these dangerous substances would not have been possible without the robust collaboration and support from our intelligence units, local informants and sister agencies.

“These landmark operations are testament to the unwavering dedication of the NCS to safeguard the health and well-being of our citizens and uphold the rule of law,” he said.

He said the seizures comprised 403 sacks and 6,504 parcels, weighing 7,217.7 kg and 362 packs of tramaling tablets of 225mg each, with a total Duty Paid Value of N117,587,405,00.

He described the height of illicit drugs smuggling in the recent time as worrisome.

This, he said, underscores the severity of drug trafficking within the borders.

“Between Oct. 13 and Nov. 12 alone, operatives intercepted a total of 1,373 parcels of cannabis sativa, weighing 1,337kg and 362 packs of tramaling tablets of 225mg each,” he said.

Ojo said the seizures had disrupted the supply chain of illicit drugs, thereby mitigating the risks those substances posed to the youth, families and communities.

He lauded the synergy between its command, security agencies and other stakeholders that led to the remarkable achievements.

Ojo also commended the Comptroller General of NCS for creating an enabling environment for the command to achieve the success.

Responding, Adeyeye, applauded the customs for achieving the feat.

Adeyeye pledged to continue to collaborate with the customs to fight against illicit trade and drug trafficking in the state.

Economy

Customs intercepts N30m worth of PMS in Operation Whirlwind

Published

4 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Matthew Eloyi

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) on Friday said that it had intercepted 849 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), worth over N30 million in retail price from Operation Whirlwind.

The Comptroller of Customs, Hussein Ejibunu, made this known during a news conference in Ikeja.

“Today, we have another seizure of 849 kegs of PMS containing 25 litres each. This translates to 30,225 litres with duty paid value at N30.225 million only at the NNPCL retail price.

“Today marks yet another success recorded by the operatives of Operation Whirlwind, Zone “A” Lagos/Ogun Axis.

“About five weeks ago, same PMS products were displayed before you here on the parade ground of the college where several seizures were made,” Ejibunu said.

“On this note, we wish to thank the National Security Adviser and the Comptroller-General of Customs for their unwavering support,” Ejibunu said.

The coordinator of the Operation Whirlwind said that two vehicles of means of conveyance were intercepted along with the seizures.

Ejibunu said that they evacuated 80 Jerry Cans each from a vehicle.

He assured the public that Operation Whirlwind remains steadfast in its efforts to clamp down on PMS smugglers, ensuring no room for their illegal activities nationwide.

Africa

Ann-Kio Briggs Faults Tinubu for Scrapping Niger Delta Ministry

Published

4 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Matthew Eloyi

Prominent Niger Delta human rights activist and environmentalist, Ann-Kio Briggs, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to scrap the Ministry of Niger Delta, describing it as ill-advised and detrimental to the oil-rich region.

Briggs expressed her concerns during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.

“The Ministry of Niger Delta was created by the late (President Umaru) Yar’Adua. There was a reason for the creation. So, just removing it because the president was advised. I want to believe that he was advised because if he did it by himself, that would be terribly wrong,” she stated.

President Tinubu, in October, dissolved the Ministry of Niger Delta and replaced it with the Ministry of Regional Development, which is tasked with overseeing all regional development commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), North-West Development Commission, and North-East Development Commission.

Briggs questioned the rationale behind the restructuring, expressing concerns about its feasibility and implications. “But that’s not going to be the solution because who is going to fund the commissions? Is it the regions because it is called the Regional Development Ministry? Is it the states in the regions? What are the regions because we don’t work with regions right now; we are working with geopolitical zones,” she remarked.

She added, “Are we going back to regionalism? If we are, we have to discuss it. The president can’t decide on his own to restructure Nigeria. If we are restructuring Nigeria, the president alone can’t restructure Nigeria, he has to take my opinion and your opinion into consideration.”

Briggs also decried the longstanding neglect of the Niger Delta despite its significant contributions to Nigeria’s economy since 1958. “The Niger Delta has been developing Nigeria since 1958. We want to use our resources to develop our region; let regions use their resources to develop themselves,” she asserted.

Reflecting on the various bodies established to address the region’s development, Briggs lamented their failure to deliver meaningful progress. She highlighted the Niger Delta Basin Authority, the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC), and the NDDC as examples of ineffective interventions.

“NDDC was created by Olusegun Obasanjo…There was OMPADEC before NDDC. OMPADEC was an agency. Before OMPADEC, there was the Basin Authority…These authorities were created to help us. Were we helped by those authorities? No, we were not,” she said.

Briggs further described the NDDC as an “ATM for failed politicians, disgruntled politicians, and politicians that have had their electoral wins taken away from them and given to somebody else.”

Her remarks underscore the deep-seated frustrations in the Niger Delta, where residents continue to advocate for greater control over their resources and improved governance.