Two people are dead and 15 missing after two buildings collapsed in Rio de Janeiro, it is reported.

Dozens of people are scouring the rubble over fears people are trapped after the buildings 'suddenly crumbled'.

The properties in Muzema, in the west of the city, have four floors.

Dozens of people were said to be joining firefighters in the search to try and locate possible victims.

Residents reported 'a sudden crash' before the structure started to 'fall apart' with 'white dust falling'.

One injured person was taken away on a door being used as an improvised stretcher, globo.com reports.

A woman at the scene told the local news site she was trying to find her mum in the rubble.

"The locals who are helping went there and heard a lady scream exactly in her room," the resident named Erica said.

Erica reportedly said her stepdad was able to get out of the building.

A tweet by Radio 93FM said: "Firefighters have confirmed two dead and two wounded in the collapse of two buildings at the Muzema in Itanhangá.

"About 15 people are missing."

Wilson Witzel, governor of Rio de Janeiro, has tweeted: "Unfortunately, there are already dead and injured victims of the collapse of Muzema."

He described it as an unfortunate situation which he will follow closely.

"Our firefighters, as always, doing their best," he added.

A resident named Edvaldo who was living on the first floor said: "I was in the bedroom, then I ran to the living room.

"When I got there, it crumbled all over me. It was very fast. A white powder, a lot of dust passed."

Another said it was a sudden 'crash' before the buildings 'fell apart'. 

The resident claimed the buildings were new.

Earlier in the week, the region was said to be affected by a heavy thunderstorm.

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