The death toll from mudslides in Brazil's colonial-era city of Petropolis rose to 104 on Thursday and was expected to increase further as the region reels from the heaviest rains in almost a century this week, Trend reports citing Reuters.
As the rescue effort continued, the local morgue was forced to use a refrigerated truck as a back up as more victims were being brought in while other bodies still awaited to be identified by their families.
"Working overnight, with poor lighting and soggy ground, is always a challenge. But I'm determined to work tirelessly in our search for survivors," Rio de Janeiro's civil defense head Leandro Monteiro said.
More than 500 rescue workers, along with neighbors and relatives of the victims, are still searching for possible survivors, the emergency services said.
A preliminary tally suggested at least 35 more people missing. According to officials, at least 13 children are among the dead.