Mum with baby in arms killed with whole family as mudslide smashes into home

A family of five have tragically been killed after their Brazilian home was crushed in a horror mudslide caused by nearly 3.93 inches of rainfall.

Among the dead was a one-year-old baby who was being held by his mum, Tatiane, when the nightmare unfolded.

Ricardo dos Santos, 40, his wife Tatiane died alongisde their children Richard, 12, Nicole, 10 and Tayane.

The family's bodies were found by rescue teams at their home in the southern Brazilian city of Várzea Paulista.

Neighbours have described seeing the huge mudslide hurtling towards the dos Santos house, where the family had lived for six years, with no chance of warning them.

Talking to Brazilian news outlet G1, Reinaldo Pereira, 42 said: "It was around 6 am. I had woken up, when out of nowhere the ravine descended from top to bottom. It was all very fast.

"There wasn't even time to scream. Many residents saw it and didn't know what to do for my friend."

The family had reportedly all shared one bedroom in their home.

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"I've known Ricardo for over 30 years," Pereira said.

"We grew up together. I've lived in this neighborhood for 39 years. I was born here. I've never seen that happen. A tragedy."

Harrowing photographs show the house disappearing under the destructive mud.

Around 40 firefighters, helped by military police and the São Paulo Civil Defense, spent eight hours digging before they were able to retrieve the bodies.

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Nearby neighbours have been evacuated from their homes after experts found that their houses were at risk of being damaged or destroyed by landslides.

Flooding has caused damage across São Paulo, with the worst hit areas including Aruja, Francisco Morato, Embu das Artes and Franco da Rocha.

At least 19 people were killed since Friday by the heavy rainfall reportedly leaving at least 500 families homeless.

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