At least 3 dead after buildings collapse in Marseille

Nov. 6 (UPI) -- At least three people have died from the collapse of two buildings in the French port city of Marseille, fire officials said Tuesday.

The first building collapsed Monday morning and an adjacent building came down eight hours later.

Marseille has seen unusually heavy rains and severe weather in recent weeks.

A Marseille fire brigade spokesman told CNN the cause of the collapse of the five-and six story buildings is not yet known.

Officials said they fear the death toll could possibly climb to eight. Several are still missing.

French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said five of the missing lived in the buildings and three were visiting.

"We've found some pockets of air that means we still have some hope of finding and identifying a survivor," Castaner said.

Three bodies pulled from the debris have not been publicly identified.

One of the fallen buildings was boarded-up, but possibly used by squatters, CNN reported.