5 killed in Brazil, as fierce winds bring chaos to Rio, Sao Paulo region

Five people have died after powerful gusts of wind in Brazil brought chaos to Rio de Janeiro and parts of Sao Paulo state, cutting power and bringing public transport to a standstill.

Residents of Rio de Janeiro were taken by surprise when winds of up to 100km/h hit just before rush hour, felling dozens of trees and leaving thousands stranded as the city’s three subway queues ground to a halt.

The fire department said in a statement that two people had died when a wall collapsed in the city of Rio de Janeiro, and a fisherman was missing in the coastal town of Tarituba.

In Santos, in the state of Sao Paulo, wind gusts of up to 111km/h caused widespread damage, and a homeless person was killed by a fallen tree, local authorities said in a statement.

Operations were affected at several major airports in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

Santos Dumont Airport, Rio’s downtown airport serving mostly domestic flights, said in a statement that it had suspended operations for about two hours.