RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- At least six people have been killed and five others injured in landslides caused by heavy rains in southeastern Brazil, local authorities said Tuesday.

The tragedies were reported in Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro states. Children were among the victims, according to the authorities.

A state of alert is being maintained in both states as the authorities warned of the possibility of further landslides due to continuous rainfall and the rain-softened soil. ■