Miami building collapse: No more survivors found overnight as fire hinders rescue efforts
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Your support makes all the difference.There has been no update to the number of survivors from the Miami building collapse overnight on Friday, officials said.
Rescue teams were still working to locate 159 unaccounted for people after the 12-storey Champlain Towers South building fell on Thursday. Four people have been confirmed dead.
One problem impacting the search efforts was a fire that’s burning deep within the rubble from the collapse.
Authorities were now working to locate the source of the fire, or fires, while also finding ways to still search for any possible survivors.
More fatalities are expected as authorities warned the number of missing from the collapsed apartment complex in Florida could increase from the current figure of 159.
Meanwhile, a researcher at Florida International University has revealed that the building had been sinking into the ground since the 1990s.
Firefighters rescued 35 people from the Champlain Tower South building that collapsed in the middle of the night on Thursday in Surfside, a beachside town just 6 miles (9.6 km) north of Miami.
Those with family members who may have been in the building at the time of its collapse are asked to call 305-614-1819. More information here.
Concrete restoration work was needed at Champlain Towers South
Champlain Towers South’s condo association had bids out for concrete restoration work, as part of the required 40-year recertification, according to the association’s lawyer, Donna Berger.
She told The Real Deal that condo board had followed a priority list for work created by the engineer who was hired for the recertification inspection.
And she pushed back at claims that re-roofing work or stucco cracks were to blame for the collapse.
“A building doesn’t fall down because you work on a roof or because there are 16 cracks on the stucco,” she said.
“All these buildings along the coast all get beat up because of the weather. It is what it is. It’s a desirable place to live.”
Miami-Dade Mayor says no survivors found today
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said ina Friday evening briefing that 159 people remained missing, with four people confirmed dead.
“Please stand by us. Stand by us, as we stand by the families,” she said and confirmed that rescue crews will work around the clock until the operation is complete.
Canada says at least four citizens involved in collapse
Canada said on Friday evening that as many as four of its citizens may have been involved in the collapse of a condo building in Surfside, Florida.
Global Affairs Canada spokesperson Ciara Trudeau said that consular officials in Miami are in contact with the families impacted by the shocking incident.
Officials say that Canadian citizens in Florida requiring emergency consular assistance should contact the Consulate General of Canada in Miami or the Global Affairs Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre.
Colorado woman among the missing in Florida building collapse
Cassondra Stratton, the wife of Colorado political strategist Mike Stratton, is among the missing people in the collapsed condo building.
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out and is keeping Cassie in their thoughts and prayers, but most of all to the brave men and women working around the clock in unimaginable conditions to bring her and others home,” he said in a statement.
“Our family is forever grateful. Cassie is a wife, mother and true friend to so many. She brings a vivacious love of life to everything she does — whether as an actress, model or Pilates instructor. Thank you again for your continued prayers.”
School of boy pulled from rubble praying for recovery
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the individuals that have been affected by the tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers building in Surfside,” said a statement from Monsignor Edward Pace High School on Facebook.
“Pace sophomore Jonah Handler was the young boy pulled from the rubble yesterday morning. He is currently being treated at the hospital and we are praying for his full recovery.”
“We ask that you please keep Jonah, his family and all those affected in your prayers as search and rescue efforts continue. The family has asked to please respect their privacy at this time.”
Fire beneath rubble of building hampering efforts
Fire Chief Alan Cominsky said that a fire is burning beneath the rubble, hindering rescue efforts.
“I’m not able to distinguish what the temperature is...it’s just that it’s so deeply seated that we can’t get the water there,” he said.
Video shows youngster handing out sweets to firefighters
The video was tweeted out by CBS Miami reporter Lauren Pastrana, who said that it was a friend of her son.
“This is my son’s friend David. He and his family live a block from the Surfside collapse scene. This morning he handed out candy and soda to first responders. A small, simple act that really warmed my heart this morning,” she tweeted.
159 people still unaccounted for as rescuers continue search
A total of 159 people are still unaccounted for after an oceanfront apartment building collapsed near Miami, killing at least four people.
Scores of rescuers are using diggers, drones, microphones and their own bare hands to pick through the mountain of debris at Champlain Towers South building.
Miami-Dade county mayor Daniella Levine Cava said there is still hope of finding survivors in the rubble more than 24 hours after the building collapsed.
Assistant Miami-Dade county fire chief Raide Jadallah said rescue operations had continued throughout the night, with 130 firefighters working at the site.
Police director Freddy Ramirez has said authorities are working with the medical examiner’s office to identify the victims.
Officials still do not know exactly how many residents or visitors were in the building when it fell, but they were trying to locate 159 people who were considered unaccounted for and may or may not have been there.
Eleven injuries were reported, with four people treated in hospital.
People have a ‘right to know’ how building collapsed, says DeSantis
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that people have a “right to know” how an apartment complex in Miami collapsed, as the death toll hits four.
Speaking on Friday he said the “primary” issue is the current search and rescue efforts to locate 159 unaccounted for people after the 12-storey Champlain Towers South building fell on Thursday.
He added: “We’ll have to figure out why did this happen. That isn’t necessarily apparent right now. But it will be identified and I think anybody affected by this directly wants that answer.”
“But we also need to know if this is a bigger issue, or something unique to the building.”
Florida governor is expected to speak on Surfside building collapse
Governor Ron DeSantis was scheduled to hold a press conference at 10:30 local time to discuss the latest with the building that collapsed in Surfside, Florida.
Rescue teams have been working around the clock to locate anyone from the collapse.
Authorities said 159 people were unaccounted for after the building collapsed on Thursday.
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