The death toll from a tour bus's horrific plunge into a densely wooded ravine in southern Brazil has risen to 54.
The vehicle went off a twisting mountain road on Saturday and crashed 400 metres to the bottom of the ravine, where it lay a twisted mass of metal.
Firefighters pulled the victims from the wreckage despite the difficult terrain and the bodies were taken to a morgue, officials say.
"It is with sadness that I learned the news of the death of 54 people in a bus accident in the Sierra Dona Francisca," President Dilma Rousseff said in a statement issued on Sunday.
"In this hour of pain and suffering, I want to extend my condolences to the families and friends who lost their loved ones."
Among the dead are the driver and eight children.
Ten people were taken to hospital but their conditions were not immediately known.
A government official in Santa Catarina said the vehicle was likely carrying 59 people. The bus was supposed to be carrying 50 people, authorities said.
Several ambulances and a helicopter were dispatched to the area and recovery efforts were set to resume on Sunday afternoon.
Authorities said on Saturday the chance of finding any more survivors was slim.
Investigators will study the crash site and then the bus will be removed from the area.
According to witnesses, the driver lost control on a downhill turn.
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