FUNCHAL (Portugal), Feb 21 Portuguese rescue workers using bulldozers searched on Sunday for more bodies under debris after violent floods and mudslides killed at least 40 people on the resort island of Madeira.

Authorities flew more rescue teams and military engineers from the mainland to help the Atlantic island where a heavy rainstorm on Saturday unleashed floods and mudslides, washing away bridges, blocking roads with rocks and mud and cutting off parts of the island.

Pedro Barbosa, deputy chief of the regional civil protection service, told Reuters one village, Curral das Freiras, was still cut off and could only be contacted by radio.

“We know there are some victims there, not a high number, but we will only know the details when rescuers reach the village later,” he said.

Francisco Ramos, the regional secretary for social affairs, told journalists there were 40 confirmed deaths on Madeira, which lies about 1,000 km (625 miles) southwest of Lisbon.—Reuters