Rio, Sao Paulo wind gusts kill five and halt transport

Five people have died after powerful wind gusts hit Rio de Janeiro and parts of Sao Paulo state, cutting power, stopping public transport and disrupting airports.

In Rio de Janeiro, winds of up to 100 km/h struck just before rush hour, felling dozens of trees and leaving thousands stranded as the city's three subway lines stopped. Rio firefighters said more than 90 trees fell because of the gusts.

The Rio de Janeiro fire department said two people died when a wall collapsed in the city. It also said a fisherman was missing in the coastal town of Tarituba.

In Santos, in Sao Paulo state, local authorities said a homeless person was killed by a fallen tree after gusts of up to 111 km/h caused widespread damage.

Operations were affected at several major airports in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Santos Dumont Airport, Rio's downtown airport serving mostly domestic flights, said it suspended operations for about two hours.

Many areas of Rio suffered blackouts before power was restored. The city hall's operations center said the winds resulted from the approach of an oceanic cold front.

Videos showed people leaving Ipanema and Copacabana beaches as gusts whipped up sand and swept away umbrellas and beach chairs.