Seven dead in building collapse in Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, June 28 (Reuters) At least seven people were killed when an old three-story building collapsed in the center 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 last night's collapse but a fire brigade spokesman said they did not expect to find any more bodies.

The building in the center 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 SHR RS2239