On the afternoon of Tuesday (14), military personnel from the Army Aviation Command (Cavex), in Taubaté (SP), rescued seven people who were on the roof of a building in Canoas, in the Rio Grande do Sul. About 80 Cavex service members are in the state, participating in rescue operations for the victims of the storms that caused several problems in the region, where more than 140 people have already lost their lives.
According to information from Cavex, the seven rescued people, including five members of the same family, had been in the building since the beginning of the floods. They had stockpiled food, water, and basic supplies. As the water level rose, the group called for help and took refuge at the top of the building, waiting for rescue, which arrived in the late afternoon.
Using a Cougar helicopter and a winch, Cavex personnel arrived at the scene and rescued the seven people, along with some animals that were with them. The group was taken to the Lutheran University of Brazil (Ulbra) in Canoas, which currently serves as a shelter. All were reported to be in good health.
Currently, nine aircraft and about 80 service members are operating in Rio Grande do Sul, focusing on search and rescue operations. There is no forecast for return to Taubaté.
