NINE Brazilian firefighters have been killed after a cave collapsed in a training drill as crews rushed to pull survivors from the rubble.

       The tragic accident occurred as a group of 26 firefighters were training in a cave near the city of Altinopolis, the Sao Paulo fire department confirmed.

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       Nine firefighters have died in the cave in Brazil Credit: AFP

       Police and emergency health teams have joined firefighters in a desperate effort to free those still trapped, but the work has been hampered by heavy rains.

       Access to the remote site was difficult, and threats of new collapses complicated the rescue attempts.

       And reports have now confirmed that all nine firefighters inside the collapsed cave have died.

       The fire department said: "There were 9 dead and one person rescued. There are no more victims at the site."

       Earlier, officials had said there were three dead and six missing. The identities of the victims have not yet been reported.

       Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria said on Twitter he would provide "all the support and resources necessary for the rescue of the victims."

       More to follow...

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