Car plunges into lake in Brazil during heavy rain, 10 dead including five children

A car plunged into a lake in Barra Mansa, in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, on Saturday evening during heavy rain, killing all 10 occupants, including five children. The state government confirmed on November 8 that all 10 people in the car were already dead when rescuers reached them.

Around 30 firefighters and two divers recovered the victims

Around 30 firefighters and two divers took part in the operation, recovering the victims from the submerged vehicle. Barra Mansa is located about 140 km west of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Local police are treating the event as an accident, and an investigation is under way to establish the exact circumstances. Euronews reported that the car was overcrowded.

Heavy rain flooded streets across the Rio area on Saturday

Downpours hit the broader Rio area on Saturday, causing widespread street flooding that reached major tourist districts such as Copacabana. Authorities urged residents to take care in the severe weather.

Update, Sunday evening: all 10 victims from one family, including a baby

Brazilian media outlet g1, citing a family member, reported that all 10 victims were from the same family, residents of Volta Redonda, and included a baby. None of the occupants survived. The bodies were taken to the Forensic Medical Institute. The stretch of road where the car went into the lake has no public lighting, and no security cameras were visible nearby. Police are investigating the exact circumstances, treating the event as an accident.