Seven dead in building collapse in Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - At least seven people were killed when an old three-story building collapsed in the centre of Recife in northeastern Brazil and the rubble fell on neighboring houses, rescue workers said today.

All the victims, including three children, were in the adjacent buildings. Seven more people were injured.

Rescue workers were still sifting through the rubble today after yesterday's collapse but a fire brigade spokesman said they did not expect to find any more bodies.

The building in the centre of the capital of Pernambuco state had been abandoned since last September. A fire had gutted most of it following clashes between homeless squatters, who had been occupying the building, and police.

- REUTERS