23 die, over 5,000 displaced due to heavy rains in southeastern Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO -- At least 23 people have died and more than 5,000 evacuated from their homes due to heavy rains since Friday in southeastern Brazil, the country's Civil Defense said on Sunday.

The states of Espirito Santo and Rio de Janeiro were hardest hit by heavy rainfall, registering 15 and eight deaths respectively, according to the report.

More than 5,000 people in the states had to leave their homes because of the rains, which caused flooding and landslides.