STORY: Rescue teams in southeastern Brazil retrieved bodies from debris and thick mud on Tuesday (February 24) after a landslide triggered by heavy rains killed at least 18 deaths in the city of Juiz de Fora.

At least 25 people died after heavy rains hit Brazil's southeastern state of Minas Gerais, while 43 people were missing.

The state fire department confirmed 18 deaths and seven in Uba, about 110 km (68 miles) away.

Firefighter Demetrius Bastus Goulart said the scale of the affected zone was complicating the search.

"The biggest challenge is the area, which is very large; it includes 12 residences and a large number of residents who were inside their homes because it was raining at night," he said.

City hall said about 440 people were displaced in Juiz de Fora, where flooding and landslides also forced the suspension of classes in municipal schools.

Brazil's federal government has recognized a state of calamity in Juiz de Fora. Much of Brazil is in the peak of its summer rainy season from December to March, when intense downpours can trigger floods and mudslides.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: RESCUE WORKERS RECOVERING BODIES / DRONE FOOTAGE OF DISASTER AREA / SOUNDBITE FROM FIREFIGHTER

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE STORY

SHOWS: JUIZ DE FORA, MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL (FEBRUARY 24, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF RESCUE TEAM REMOVING BODY FROM DEBRIS AND MUD

2. RESCUE TEAM CARRYING BODY

3. FIREFIGHTER, DEMETRIUS BASTUS GOULART, WALKING IN DISASTER AREA

4. VARIOUS OF BASTUS GOULART TALKING WITH PEOPLE (NOT SOUNDBITE)

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) FIREFIGHTER, DEMETRIUS BASTUS GOULART SAYING:

"The biggest challenge is the area, which is very large; it includes 12 residences and a large number of residents who were inside their homes because it was raining at night. So we've been gathering these people to provide the best possible assistance, but the amount of mud is enormous. Therefore, we've been working meticulously to best assist the families and victims, but it's a time-consuming and meticulous job."

6. PEOPLE CRYING

7. PERSON YELLING AND BEING CALMED DOWN BY OTHER PEOPLE

8. EXCAVATORS AND RESCUE TEAMS IN DISASTER AREA

9. VARIOUS OF RESCUE TEAM CARRYING BODY

10. RESCUE TEAM LINING UP RECOVERED BODIES

11. (MUTE) VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS OF LANDSLIDE AND DISASTER AREA