The mayor of Ipatinga, Gustavo Núñez, declared a state of emergency.
At least 150 people were left homeless in the city, which is about 570 km north of Rio de Janeiro.
The mayor said the city was surprised by the heavy rains. “People didn’t have time to prepare,” Nunes said.
At least nine people were confirmed dead in Ipatinga, with another body found half an hour’s drive north in Santana do Paraíso.
Local media reports that two young people managed to escape alive from the house where five of their relatives died and were buried under mud.
The city’s medical center was also affected by the landslides, Health Minister Ipatinga said.
“At this time, the medical center is unable to serve people, and all patients who were here awaiting transfer have been moved,” Valison Medeiros said.
He thanked neighboring towns for offering help.
Minas Gerais state governor Romeu Zema said he would visit the affected area later on Monday.
