3 bodies found at site of collapsed buildings
Source: Agencies |
January 27, 2012, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
BRAZILIAN officials yesterday said three bodies have been recovered following the collapse of several buildings in the historic center of Rio de Janeiro.
Fire Department spokesman Moises Torres said crews are searching for another 21 people reported missing. He said at least six others were wounded and treated.
It's not clear what caused the accident. But officials have said they think it was a structural problem. One building about 20-storys high fell and caused two smaller buildings near it to also go down.
Firefighters and other rescuers used dogs yesterday to search for any survivors.
Thick layers of debris covered cars and motorcycles. A neighboring building sustained serious damage, and television showed at least two people on its roof apparently awaiting help from firefighters.
There was a strong smell of natural gas in the area, but Rio's mayor said there were doubts a gas leak caused the accident.
"There apparently was not an explosion. The collapse occurred because of structural damages," he said. "I don't think there was a gas leak."
Witnesses had heard a loud explosion-like sound just before the building fell, and a strong odor of gas hung over the scene.
It was not immediately clear how big the damaged buildings were. The one nearly destroyed was at least five stories high. It sat near Rio's historic Teatro Municipal and the Fine Arts Museum, both of which appeared undamaged.
A Civil Defense official said she believed the collapsed building was for commercial use and not residential.
The explosion happened after 8pm, and there were hopes that would minimize the number of people who might have been in the area.
Fire Department spokesman Moises Torres said crews are searching for another 21 people reported missing. He said at least six others were wounded and treated.
It's not clear what caused the accident. But officials have said they think it was a structural problem. One building about 20-storys high fell and caused two smaller buildings near it to also go down.
Firefighters and other rescuers used dogs yesterday to search for any survivors.
Thick layers of debris covered cars and motorcycles. A neighboring building sustained serious damage, and television showed at least two people on its roof apparently awaiting help from firefighters.
There was a strong smell of natural gas in the area, but Rio's mayor said there were doubts a gas leak caused the accident.
"There apparently was not an explosion. The collapse occurred because of structural damages," he said. "I don't think there was a gas leak."
Witnesses had heard a loud explosion-like sound just before the building fell, and a strong odor of gas hung over the scene.
It was not immediately clear how big the damaged buildings were. The one nearly destroyed was at least five stories high. It sat near Rio's historic Teatro Municipal and the Fine Arts Museum, both of which appeared undamaged.
A Civil Defense official said she believed the collapsed building was for commercial use and not residential.
The explosion happened after 8pm, and there were hopes that would minimize the number of people who might have been in the area.
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