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VIENNA - Two women died when heavy rains triggered river flooding that swept away their home in southern Austria over the weekend, local firefighters said Monday.

One victim, a 50-year-old woman, was buried overnight under the rubble of her house which was destroyed by a mass of mud brought by the swollen river from Mur mountain at Gasen in Styria province, the Austrian radio ORF and news agency APA reported, quoting rescue workers.

Her mother-in-law, 77, died later in hospital, where she was taken after being found by firefighters. In Graz, the provincial capital in the flooded region, firefighters, police and military personnel have been mobilised for rescue operations if necessary as more rainfall is expected.