Brazil buildings disaster toll hits 24

The death toll from the collapse of two buildings in Rio de Janeiro more than a week ago reached 24 on Monday, Brazilian media said, and a day after rescuers ended a search for survivors.

A 35-year-old woman died in hospital, G1 news site reported, citing relatives and the hospital where she was treated.

The woman's death came 10 days after the adjacent apartment buildings in the hillside neighborhood of Muzema buckled.

Another 10 people were injured when the buildings collapsed on 12 April days after torrential rain wreaked havoc in the city.

Police are searching for three people suspected of building or selling apartments in the devastated structures.

Many of the cheaply made apartment towers in Muzema favela were erected without permission from city planning authorities.

Like many poor neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro, Muzema is run by shadowy militias that use violence to enforce their rule.

They sell land rights and control access to city services such as water and electricity.

Authorities have pledged to demolish some of the surrounding buildings in Muzema to prevent further collapses