Brazil floods: death toll rises to 48 as landslides and looters prevent aid reaching survivors

Dozens missing in south-eastern Sao Paulo state as rescue crews search for bodies in the rubble of homes

Search and rescue teams raced to find dozens of people that remained missing after heavy rains devastated coastal areas of Brazil's south-eastern Sao Paulo state, as the official death toll rose to 48.

We are currently working with a tally of at least 38 missing people," the Sao Paulo governor, Tarcisio de Freitas, told reporters on Wednesday, as weather forecasters cautioned more rain was on its way.