Four-Storey Textile Building Collapses in São Paulo’s Brás

Overview

• The four‑storey building on Rua Maria Joaquina collapsed on Friday night, Nov. 6, while workers were unloading textiles and 35 people were inside; authorities have not confirmed any deaths.
• Firefighters led a large rescue operation that removed 27 people and saw eight exit on their own, with four taken to the UPA da Mooca in stable condition.
• Searches were paused overnight for safety and resumed with machinery and sniffer dogs the next morning as crews worked to clear debris and check for any remaining victims.
• Police and engineering perícia opened an inquiry focusing on heavy recent shipments of fabric to the site and the absence of an Auto de Vistoria do Corpo de Bombeiros and a valid municipal alvará.
• The collapse heavily damaged the building’s internal floors and mezanino while leaving the glass facade mostly standing, and three neighboring properties have been interdicted as officials assess wider risks and possible regulatory action.