THOUSAND PEOPLE MISSING IN NORTH-EAST BRAZIL FLOODS
Baku, June 22 (AZERTAC). Floods have engulfed two states in north-east Brazil, leaving about 1,000 people missing and forcing at least 100,000 to flee their homes.
At least 38 people are known to have died so far in Alagoas and Pernambuco, according to BBC.
Correspondents say the floods, brought on by nearly a week of rain, have washed away entire villages.
The governor of Alagoas, Teotonio Vilela Filho, said bodies were being washed up on beaches and riverbanks.
"Up until the early afternoon [Monday] we had 26 confirmed dead in Alagoas and more than 1,000 people missing," he said.
"We are praying for the missing to be found alive," he added, before holding talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday.
Twelve deaths were confirmed in the state of Pernambuco.
More than 58,000 people were forced to leave their homes in Alagoas and more than 42,000 in Pernambuco, Brazil`s civil defence agency was quoted as saying by Spain`s Efe news agency.
AFP news agency quoted unspecified officials as saying the total number of people displaced was 100,000.
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