BRAZIL: Roof collapses at Rio hotel killing at least two.

At least two people were killed and 10 injured on Monday when the roof over the entrance of a Rio de Janeiro hotel in a busy avenue near Copacabana beach collapsed. At least two people were killed and 10 injured on Monday (February 26) when the roof over the entrance of a Rio de Janeiro hotel near Copacabana beach collapsed. The three-star Hotel Canada stands on busy Nossa Senhora de Copacabana Avenue, parallel to the beachside Avenida Atlantica, popular with tourists. The city is still full of tourists after last week's Carnival celebrations. According to the fire service at least five victims are seriously injured. Hundreds of curious passerby's stopped to watch the rescue teams in action. Walmir Rocha, who was waiting to cross the street with his wife, said he managed to escape the collapse, but his wife was caught and broke a leg. "I tried to pull her (his wife), but I couldn't because the thing fell," he said. Globo television said the hotel is one of the oldest in the area and had recently been refurbished. Another survivor Julia Lima, who was passing in front of the hotel moments before the collapse, said it was a terrible sight. "There was a lot of dust, a lot. The people under (the roof) calling "help, get me out of here". It was very bad," she said. Lima only escaped the accident because she ran after hearing the ceiling crack twice before it fell. Fire fighters continue to remove rubble from the entrance of the hotel to clear the way for guests and workers who still remain inside.

ITN Source | February 27, 2007

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