Nine killed in Brazil flood

Rio de Janeiro: Driving rains that sparked widespread flooding killed at least nine people in the Rio de Janeiro area, authorities said on Saturday.

Friday's rains, believed the worst in almost a decade, plunged the city into chaos.

At least seven of those killed were drowned, most swept away by floodwaters, officials said.

Both airports in Brazil's second-biggest city shut down after heavy tropical downpour on Friday.

Water flooded homes in some parts of western Rio, rising as high as five feet. A man was also electrocuted on the outskirts of the city as rain caused severe short circuits. Torrential rains are common during this time of the year in Brazil.

Authorities were still investigating, but civil defense Col. Joao Carlos Mariano said it was likely that water from the ducts accumulated just outside the mall, then broke through a steel door and rushed inside the garage.