Death toll rises as hopes fade in Brazil buildings collapse

Three buildings collapsed in the historic center of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Wednesday January 25, 2012, sending rubble and dust flying through the air.

The area -- a bustling commercial center during the day and a popular drinking spot at night -- was closed off Thursday January 26, 2012.

The collapse comes at a delicate time for Rio de Janeiro as Brazil prepares to host the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games two years later.

Cars parked on the street near the buildings were covered in dust, and there was a strong smell of gas in the area, according to fire officials.

A firefighter searches for victims amid the rubble on Wednesday night.

Officials said they were investigating both the possibility of a gas leak and a structural failure.

The commercial buildings were largely empty when they crumbled Wednesday night.

A firefighter looks for victims on Thursday, one day after the buildings collapsed.

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Rio de Janeiro building collapse

Rio de Janeiro building collapse

Rio de Janeiro building collapse

Rio de Janeiro building collapse

Rio de Janeiro building collapse

Rio de Janeiro building collapse

Rio de Janeiro building collapse

Rio de Janeiro building collapse

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Sao Paulo (CNN) -- The death toll in the collapse of three buildings in Rio de Janeiro rose to 17 Saturday morning as rescuers found two more bodies, state media reported.

Rescue efforts will continue until Sunday but some were beginning to give up hope.

"Although the culture of the fire department is driven by hope, motivation, given the scenario that we're checking, and time passed since the accident, I must say that we do not work with the possibility of more survivors," said Col. Sergio Simoes, secretary of civil defense, according to the state-run Agencia Brasil news agency

Simoes, who also serves as fire brigade commander, said he was concerned about large chunks of concrete possibly falling on crews.

Building partially collapses after blast

It was not immediately clear what caused the collapse of a 20-story building and adjacent 10- and 4-story buildings on Wednesday night. Officials said they were investigating both the possibility of a gas leak and a structural failure.

Sergio Cabral, the governor of Rio de Janeiro state, declared three days of mourning for the victims.

Among those who died in the collapse was Cornelio Ribeiro Lopes, 73, who was the doorman for one of the buildings, Agencia Brasil reported. He lived there with his wife, Margarida Vieira de Carvalho, who is among the missing, the agency reported.

Rescuers said that one of the biggest challenges in finding people was the dust cloud that floats in the area.

The accident came at a delicate time for Rio de Janeiro as the city prepares to host the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games two years later.

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