A building collapsed Sunday afternoon in the Engenho Novo neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, prompting a search and rescue operation that continued into Monday. Firefighters responded to the scene on Rua Visconde de Itabaiana at 5:40 PM local time and have so far rescued four people.
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Three of those rescued sustained minor injuries, although one was hospitalized with moderate injuries but remained in stable condition Monday night. The others have been released from Salgado Filho Municipal Hospital. Rescue teams are also searching for two dogs believed to be trapped under the rubble.
“Only God knows what would have happened to us if the other side had also collapsed,” said Mariane Rocha, a resident of a partially collapsed adjacent home, recounting the moments before the building fell. “I thank God that my friends and I are safe and that there were no fatalities.”
Rocha described hearing a loud cracking sound while having a barbecue with friends in her garage. Initially, they thought it was a ball hitting the wall, but about 30 minutes later, the house began to crumble before their eyes. She also noted that the resident of house number 7, where the collapse originated, had moved out months prior due to cracks in the structure.
Approximately 40 firefighters, including specialists from the Search and Rescue Group (GBS) and the Special Operations Group (GOEsp), are involved in the ongoing operation. “Teams continue to conduct searches, rescue efforts, and structural assessments of the area, focusing on the safety of victims and personnel,” the Civil Defense reported.
The cause of the collapse remains unknown, and authorities are investigating whether recent heavy rainfall contributed to the incident. The collapse underscores the vulnerability of aging infrastructure in the face of increasingly severe weather events.
Residents reported hearing cracking sounds shortly before the building gave way. The incident occurred as a South Atlantic Convergence Zone (ZCAS) continues to bring rainfall to Rio de Janeiro. Heavy rain was reported in Anchieta, in the city’s North Zone, and strong rainfall also affected Méier and Jacarepaguá on Sunday.
According to the Rio Operations Center, heavy rainfall was recorded between 5:15 PM and 5:30 PM at the Santa Teresa (8.0mm) and Irajá (6.8mm) stations. Showers have been widespread throughout the city.
The South Atlantic Convergence Zone is expected to remain a factor in Rio’s weather over the next few days. Monday and Tuesday are forecast to bring intermittent showers, with temperatures potentially exceeding 86°F (30°C).
Wednesday is expected to be stable, with a high of 93°F (34°C).
