State of emergency introduced in southern Brazil after storm

Brazil has introduced a state of emergency in its southern state of Santa Catarina following a powerful storm that swept through the south of the country earlier in the week.

The storm swept through southern Brazil and northern Argentina, killing at least 14 people in the two countries on Tuesday and Wednesday.

At least four people were killed and some 90 injured when a powerful cyclone with winds raging up to 120 kmph (75 mph) made landfall in Santa Catarina on Tuesday evening and moved westwards, to the Argentine border.

The Brazilian border town of Guaraciaba, with a population of 10,000, was the worst hit by the storm, which damaged 70% of its buildings, as well as power lines and communications.

sections: World News