Buildings collapse in Rio de Janeiro

Events / Incidents - 26 January 2012, Thursday 16:54

RIO DE JANEIRO (QHA) - Two high-rise buildings collapsed Wednesday night in Rio de Janeiro amid preparations to host soccer’s World Cup and the Olympics, RTE News has reported.
Rescue crews pulled four people alive from the debris.
An explosion preceded the collapse, which left the surrounding area covered in debris and dust, witnesses said.
As many as 11 people could be trapped in the wreckage, cable broadcaster Gloominess said. City authorities are assessing the risk of collapse of a damaged adjoining building, local newswires reported, without giving the source of the information.
The incident comes months after an explosion apparently caused by a gas leak ripped through a restaurant in downtown Rio, killing three people and igniting concerns over the state of the city's infrastructure.

 
QHA