Hero footballer Diego Costa helps rescue 100 people affected by floods in Brazil as ex-Chelsea striker uses his jeep and jetski to bring victims to safety
- Southern Brazil has been hit by devastating floods, killing at least 83 people
- Gremio player Costa helped the relief and rescue efforts by lending his vehicles
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Former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has helped save 100 people from devastating floods in the region of Brazil where he now plays.
The 35-year-old used his jeep and jet ski to help get people trapped by the floods to safety, and also called on friends to help.
The natural disaster in the Rio Grande do Sul has caused the deaths of at least 83 people and injured 276, while another 111 are missing, according to CNN.
At least 121,000 people have been displaced by the floods, according to the region’s Civil Protection.
Costa, who now plays for Brazilian club Gremio, was driving home from training when he came across a group of people from Eldorado do Sul seeking help.
Former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa (center) assisted in rescue efforts following the devastating floods that hit southern Brazil
Videos on social media showed Costa using his Jeep to ferry flood victims to safety, also using a jet ski for the rescue efforts
The floods in the Rio Grande do Sul region have caused at least 83 deaths and left tens of thousands displaced
The footballer did not hesitate to take action and made his jeep and jet ski available for rescue efforts. In addition, he mobilized four more friends who brought jet skis, Cadena SER reported.
Videos on social media showed Costa driving the Jeep over flooded roads, and reports said the group helped move 100 people to dry land.
‘I had never seen what Diego did today before. He has just arrived [at Gremio] a few months ago, but he left his truck in the water and took his jet ski and those of his friends with him,” a witness said.
The Brazilian-born former Spain international played for Wolves during the 2022/23 season before signing for Botafogo in Brazil.
He moved to Serie A club Gremio in February, replacing Luis Suarez, and has since scored six goals in ten games.
Days of heavy rain caused massive flooding and landslides in Brazil’s southernmost state, with the extreme weather caused by a rare combination of warmer-than-average temperatures, high humidity and strong winds.
Costa, 35, signed for Gremio, who play in the region, in February. He scored six goals
According to reports, Costa was driving back from training when he came across a group in need and asked how he could help with the flood rescue efforts
The Internacional stadium in the city of Porto Alegre is inundated by floods
Water surrounds the Rio Grande do Sul art museum in Porto Alegre after the flood
Rescue operations are underway across the state with more than 100 people missing
Roads and bridges have been destroyed in many areas, leaving at least half a million people without power and clean water.
The storms affected more than half of the state’s 497 cities and caused the collapse of a hydroelectric dam near the town of Bento Goncalves, leading to 30 deaths.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited the region to promise government support.