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Brazilian firefighters say the death toll from the collapse of a pair of buildings in Rio de Janeiro has risen to seven, with 10 others injured.

The Rio fire department's press office said Saturday that 17 people are also listed as missing.

The condemned four-story buildings collapsed Friday in the hillside neighborhood of Itanhanga, an area that was hard hit by recent heavy rains and flash floods.

Fire department Col. Luciano Sarmento said he hoped survivors would be found because "air pockets may have been formed allowing people to breathe."

Authorities are combing through the rubble in an around-the-clock search.

Rio Mayor Marcelo Crivella said earlier that the area where the buildings stood was run by militias that control large swaths of Rio.