Three Buildings Collapse in Brazil’s Capital, At Least Five Dead

Three buildings have collapsed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rescue crews are working frantically to find anyone who might be trapped in the ruble of the multi-story buildings. Five bodies have been recovered from the ruble, but there are at least 19 people still missing. Five others have been transported to the hospital for medical treatment.

The buildings were located in the historic district of Brazil’s capital, but the buildings were used for commercial purposes. One building was 20 stories high, while the other two were ten and four stories tall. It’s possible that a gas leak caused one of the buildings to collapse, followed by a chain reaction of the other two.

The accident comes when Rio de Janeiro is trying to prepare for two massive sporting events – the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. Some of the witnesses to the destruction said that there were sounds that reminded them of gunshots, followed by a complete collapse of the buildings. There was a fire at the scene of the disaster. Authorities have closed off the area, which is a busy commercial district during the day and a lively spot for nightlife in the evening.

Many vehicles close to the site are covered in dust and debris. Gas can be smelled in the area and that has slowed down rescue workers. Some residents close to the site thought there was an earthquake because of their buildings shook when the 20 story building fell.

One of the buildings had a bakery and a bank in its lobby, but it is not yet known what other businesses had offices in the structures. The rescue effort is likely to continue for days, as the piles of rubble and debris will be difficult to remove because of the close proximity to other buildings.

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