World

Rescuers hunt for survivors of Brazil building collapse

By AAP Newswire

Jul 8, 2023

Rescuers search for survivors — Rescuers are searching for survivors after a building collapsed following heavy rains. -EPA

Brazilian rescue workers are searching for survivors in the wreckage of a building that collapsed in the northeastern state of Pernambuco, the local government says, after responding to emergency calls in the outskirts of the capital city of Recife.

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Pernambuco's government said a survivor had already been found but preliminary information pointed to more people still under the rubble of the building in the Janga neighborhood.

A precise figure has not been provided but CNN Brasil reported, citing Pernambuco's civil defence authorities, that 10 people were estimated to be in the wreckage.

"Civil defence was called at 6.35am to respond to the collapse of the building in Janga," the Pernambuco government said in a statement on social media.Â

"Eight of our teams have now been mobilised to the site."

The state's civil defence did not immediately respond to a request for further details.

Recife, a coastal city of 1.5 million people, has been grappling with heavy rains in recent days.

The city and its metropolitan region were put under "state of attention" on Friday, which represents "moderate to high risk," according to the government.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press