At least 5 individuals have died after a "condemned" residential block in Brazil collapsed following heavy rainfall.

Eight others, together with kids, are lacking after the constructing fell within the metropolis of Recife, within the northeastern state of Pernambuco.

Officials stated 4 individuals had been rescued alive from the rubble after emergency crews had been referred to as simply after 6.30am native time on Friday.

It is unclear what brought on the collapse however the coastal metropolis of 1.5 million individuals has been hit by heavy rain in current days.

Former residents of the block stated authorities evicted them from the constructing again in 2009, however claimed others had since moved in.

Local Elisangela instructed reporters: "This building had already been condemned 14 years ago, and we had to leave.

"My mom used to reside within the constructing. But once we left, individuals invaded [the building]... they did a whole lot of renovations."

The Pernambuco authorities stated eight rescue groups had been despatched to the positioning to seek for survivors.