Rio de Janeiro building collapse prompts World Cup concerns

AFP 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 January 27, 2012 12:00AM

BRAZILIAN rescuers were combing through rubble yesterday after three buildings, one of them 20 stories high, collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, injuring at least five people and possibly burying others under the rubble. The collapse, apparently caused by structural problems, came as Brazil races to complete preparations to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, which it hopes will highlight its emerging economic and political prowess. "Three buildings collapsed: a 20-story building, a 10-story building and a smaller building of three or four floors," Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes said. "Giving a total number of victims would be pure speculation," he added. Health Secretary Sousa Aguiar said five people had been injured and were at a hospital under observation, adding that the office buildings would have been largely deserted because the collapse happened at night. Television network Globo News, citing civil defence officials, reported "11 casualties - dead and injured" in the incident, which took place near the municipal theatre on the city's Cinelandia square. The historic district is bustling by day but is nearly deserted at night. Witnesses reported hearing an explosion and described scenes reminiscent of September 11, with walls of dust and debris. Mr Paes said the cause of the collapse was not yet known, but that it was likely "structural problems". A mountain of rubble filled the street and thick dust covered the cars nearby. The tallest building had housed several law offices, and construction work was being carried out on two floors. Brazilian authorities are racing to build or renovate 12 stadiums in time for the 2014 World Cup. Last month, football's world ruling body FIFA warned Brazil about delays in the progress of construction projects expected to be ready for the four-yearly football extravaganza. The Getulio Vargas Foundation and consultancy firm Ernst & Young estimate Brazil needs to spend more than $US11 billion ($10.3bn) to fix roads, boost hotel capacity, reinforce security and develop its telecommunications network ahead of the World Cup.

Disponvel em: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/rio-de-janeiro-building-collapse-prompts-world-cup-concerns/story-e6frg6so-1226254712988 Acesso em: 01 de fevereiro de 2012