Brazil: 7 Dead as Cliff Collapses on Boats (Video)

At least seven people died after part of a cliff collapsed onto leisure boats on a Brazilian lake, reports revealed on Sunday.

The reports added that another three are missing and 32 injured following the accident in the south-east of the country.

Video circulating online shows the moment the rock detaches from the cliff face as onlookers try to yell warnings to the boats beneath.

https://twitter.com/otempo/status/1479848764940640258

One of the boats appears to have sunk, while others managed to escape successfully.

The collapse at 11:00 local time (14:00 GMT) occurred after days of rain in Minas Gerais state, which had made the cliffs more susceptible to collapse, local fire officials told reporters.

Lieutenant Pedro Aihara stated that three vessels were hit by falling rock. Out of the 32 injured, nine people were in hospital.

Meantime, pers and helicopters are searching the water for any more survivors.

Pedro Aihara, spokesperson for the Minas Gerais State Fire Department, told Brazilian broadcaster GloboNews that the rocks in this area are "more susceptible to the effects of wind and rain" and "show less resistance."