Helicopter rescues Survivor from Collapsed Building in Rio de Janeiro

An emergency services helicopter rescued a survivor after two unlicensed buildings collapsed in a militia-controlled outer borough.

At least three people died and two more injured, according to local media. It was unclear why the four-story buildings, located in the western neighbourhood of Itanhanga, collapsed. An unknown number of people were still missing, residents and officials said.

The mayor’s office said the two buildings were irregular constructions, which had not been authorised.

The buildings collapsed just days after Rio de Janeiro was hit by record rains that caused severe damage across the city. At least ten people died in the storm on Monday, April 8th, which led city authorities to declare a state of emergency.