The numbers are far less than in the U.S. but school attacks are definitely on the increase, prompting soul-searching — and a national debate over strategies to prevent future tragedies.
The far-right leader went to Florida after losing his bid for re-election, days before his rival was inaugurated. While in Florida, Bolsonaro frequently met with supporters and conservative groups.
The cities of Sao Sebastiao, Ubatuba, Ilhabela and Bertioga, some of the hardest hit and now under state of calamity, canceled their Carnival festivities as rescue teams struggle to find the missing.
It was just over a month ago that hundreds of extremist supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, stormed the capital and ransacked the Congress, Supreme Court and the presidential offices.
The ex-president left Brazil for Florida a week before his supporters rioted in Brasilia. Analysts say his special diplomatic visa expired Tuesday, leaving U.S. authorities to decide his legal status.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva fired Brazil's army chief on Saturday. Lula has said that some in the military allowed the Jan. 8 uprising in the capital by far-right protesters.