Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has offered his condolences to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva over mudslides that killed at least 64 people in southeastern Brazil, the Kremlin press office said on Sunday.
The mudslides were caused by heavy rains which hit the area on Friday.
"We felt deep compassion when we received reports of natural disasters that hit Brazil and caused numerous victims and destructions," Medvedev said in a telegram.
"I want to express sincere solidarity with the friendly Brazilian people and let me convey condolences to the victims' relatives, the words of support and the wishes of the quickest recovery for all those affected by the disaster," the telegram said.
A large landslide hit the Brazilian island resort of Ilha Grande on New Year's Day, killing at least 26 people.
A separate mudslide struck the nearby coastal city of Angra dos Reis, some 100 km (62 miles) west of Rio de Janeiro, early on January 1, killing at least 13 people.
Heavy rains also triggered mudslides elsewhere in the Rio region.
MOSCOW, January 3 (RIA Novosti)
