Rio's Christ statue closed off

Rio de Janeiro's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue will be closed indefinitely because of damage to access roads from heavy rains, authorities said.

Workers are labouring to remove dirt, trees, rocks and other debris obstructing roads after flooding and mudslides last week in Tijuca National Park, where the statue stands on a mountaintop.

The city said the work could take as long as six months, though access could be restored much sooner.

"We believe visitors will be able to return within one or two months," Bernardo Issa, director of the Tijuca National Park, said. "We do not have a timeline yet though, this has not been defined."

A trolley line that carries tourists to the statue was shut down on Sunday because of the threat of more mudslides.

The Christ the Redeemer statue is a top tourist draw and was named one of the world's seven new wonders in 2007.

Firefighters said yesterday that 247 people died in the flooding and slides in and around Rio caused by torrential rains. The flooding has prompted authorities to begin demolishing homes built on steep hillsides and evicting residents.

Mr Issa said flooding in 1996 also forced authorities to halt visits to the statue, but the current closure will be the longest on record.