Death toll from Brazil’s building collapse reaches 17, authorities say

RIO DE JANEIRO – The death toll from Brazil’s building collapse reached 17 on Saturday after rescue workers found two more bodies under the rubble.

Authorities said that eight of the dead have already been identified by family members.

The number of missing now stood at 22. Rescue team had originally put the number at 26, but later adjusted it downward.

The three office buildings — of 20, 10, and four stories — collapsed late Wednesday near Rio’s municipal theater on the city’s Cinelandia square, a historic district bustling by day but nearly deserted at night.

Authorities said they did not expect to find more survivors.