3 more ID’d among remains in Sao Paulo building collapse

SAO PAULO – Authorities have identified three more victims among remains recovered from the rubble of a building that caught fire and collapsed in downtown Sao Paulo.

The Public Security Department said Friday that the remains were those of: 40-year-old Selma Almeida da Silva, 40-year-old Alexandre de Menezes, and 47-year-old Walmir Sousa Santos.

Four other people, including two men and twin boys, had previously been identified.

Two people remain missing and are believed to have died in the collapse, but there is little hope their remains will be found. The department said experts have now identified all of the remains recovered, and firefighters have ended their search for victims.

Squatters were occupying the building that caught fire May 1, and its collapse has focused attention on the housing shortage in Brazil’s largest city.