His Excellency President Jacob Zuma today, 9 April 2010 conveyed condolences to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the government and the people of Brazil following a mudslide disaster caused by heavy rains which affected Rio De Janeiro in Brazil on 7 April 2010.
President Jacob Zuma said: "I have learnt with great sadness of the mudslide disaster, which has been triggered by what has been reported as the heaviest rains in the history of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s second largest city, where about 200 Brazilians perished and a number of families affected."
"On behalf of the government and people of South Africa I wish to extend our condolences to the Government and the people of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The people of South Africa share the pain of loss of the loved ones, their homes and property and our hearts and prayers go to the affected families.
"We wish the rescue and recovery teams deployed in the areas affected by the disaster every success in their efforts," concluded President Jacob Zuma.
For more information contact:
Mahlatsi Mminele
Cell: 082 889 9432
Issued by: Department of International Relations and Cooperation
9 April 2010
