RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from heavy rains in Brazil's southeastern state of Minas Gerais has risen to 68, local authorities said Friday.

Among all the victims, 62 were recorded in the city of Juiz de Fora, while six others were in the city of Uba.

According to the authorities, the death toll includes people found dead in the rubble and those who were rescued alive but later died in health facilities due to the severity of their injuries.

There are still three people reportedly missing in Juiz de Fora and two others missing in Uba.

Search and rescue efforts continue to locate possible survivors among collapsed houses. ■