Building Under Construction Collapses in São Paulo, Killing Six and Triggering Arrests

Overview

• A multi‑story building under construction fell onto a neighboring house in Penha in the early hours of Saturday, Sept. 12, killing six people and injuring two survivors who were pulled from the rubble.
• Rescue teams completed search operations after locating all victims and the Corpo de Bombeiros said the site is now under control for forensic and technical work.
• Police obtained temporary arrest orders and detained an alleged hidden partner linked to the construction while warrants remain outstanding for other company representatives.
• The Prefeitura opened an investigation at the Controladoria Geral do Município into prior inspections and a 2024 report that certified required demolitions, and the inspector who signed that report was temporarily suspended.
• New Home Construtora has launched an internal inquiry, and officials warned that heavy rain cannot yet be singled out as the cause, so the outcome of technical and criminal probes will shape accountability, oversight changes and housing-safety checks in the area.