Death Toll From Collapse of Two Buildings in Rio de Janeiro Up to 22 - Reports

CARACAS (Sputnik) - The death toll from the collapse of two illegally built residential buildings in a favela in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro has increased to 22 from the earlier figure of 18, local media outlets have reported.

The bodies of two children, who were previously considered missing, have been recovered, the daily newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo specified late on Saturday.

Rescue operations are still underway.

According to media reports, the Brazilian authorities are considering the idea of demolishing 16 other buildings located in the vicinity of those that collapsed. A decision on the matter will be taken after an evaluation. The authorities are concerned that buildings are being constructed illegally on hillsides, where in the event of heavy rainfall they can possibly collapse.

READ MORE: Death Toll in Dam Collapse in Brazil's Brumadinho Rises to 224 — Reports

The five-storey buildings that collapsed last week, were located in the favela, Muzema, which was devastated by days of torrential rains and catastrophic flooding. The reason behind the incident has not been established yet.