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Rio high-rise collapses with reports of 11 dead Rio high-rise buildings collapse
(about 1 hour later)
Part of a building nearly 20 storeys high has collapsed in the centre of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, leaving rubble strewn across a wide area. Two buildings - one nearly 20 storeys high - have collapsed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, filling streets with masonry and covering cars with debris.
Emergency services were quoted in TV reports as saying that at least 11 people had been killed or injured, as masonry covered cars and buses. TV reports initially suggested two bodies had been recovered and up to 11 people killed but officials say the number of casualties is unknown.
The cause is not yet known but witnesses spoke of an explosion before the collapse and a strong smell of gas. The cause remains unclear but witnesses spoke of an explosion before the collapse and a strong smell of gas.
Dozens of firefighters and emergency workers are at the scene. However, city mayor Eduardo Paes said structural problems may be to blame.
Police have cordoned off the area and electricity to the street has been cut off for safety reasons, reports the AP news agency. "There are still people in the rubble, but we don't know how many. We have received conflicting information," he told AFP news agency, adding that four people had been taken to hospital.
'Like an earthquake'
Dozens of emergency workers are at the scene and police have cordoned off the area. Electricity to the street has been cut off for safety reasons.
One witness, who identified himself as Gilbert, told Reuters news agency: "It was like an earthquake. First some pieces of the buildings started to fall down. People started to run. And then it all fell down at once."
The incident comes a little over three months after a suspected gas explosion at a restaurant in the city left three people dead.
Concerns have been raised about the state of Rio de Janeiro's infrastructure as Brazil prepares to host football's World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games two years later.
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