At least 21 minors were among the dead, local news outlet G1 reported on Friday.

Meanwhile 218 people are missing, according to the police. After four days of searching, firefighters still believe it may be possible to rescue some of the victims alive.

On Friday morning, several warning alarms were again activated at the Morro da Oficina, one of the regions most affected by strong rainfall.

On Tuesday, the city, located in the mountainous region of the Rio de Janeiro state, saw more rain in six hours than had been broadcast for all of February, according to weather forecaster Climatempo.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro flew over the region following his return from a visit to Russia and Hungary. "I saw a huge destruction. It is an image of war," he said.

State Governor Claudio Castro said it was the worst rain in Petropolis since 1932.

Pope Francis expressed his condolences to the families. "I pray to God for eternal rest for the deceased and consolation, recovery and Christian hope for those affected," he said, according to a telegram sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to the Bishop of Petropolis.

Dozens of homes were reportedly hit by mudslides. Many houses are illegally built on mountain slopes which are prone to landslides.

Rio de Janeiro and the surrounding region are frequently hit by heavy rains in the months of January, February and March.

In 2011, more than 900 people were killed in a storm disaster in the northern mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro, which includes Petropolis, in what is considered the worst storm disaster to hit Brazil.

Australian Associated Press