Since the partial collapse of a large apartment building in the small town of Surfside near Miami, a desperate search for victims has been going on. But for now there are only sad finds.
Miami – After the partial collapse of a twelve-story apartment building in the US state of Florida, the death toll has risen again. Another victim was found in the rubble on Tuesday
That said the mayor of Miami-Dade district, Daniella Levine Cava, at the accident site in Surfside near Miami. The number of dead has risen to twelve. According to her, 149 people are missing.
The building near the beach with around 130 residential units had partially collapsed on Thursday night. The misfortune surprised people in their sleep. Since then, a desperate search for possible survivors has been going on. Rescue teams are on duty around the clock – with sniffer dogs, special cameras, listening instruments and heavy equipment. Levine Cava said more than 200 forces are currently involved in the search at the site of the accident. They worked day and night, in rotating twelve-hour shifts. There are more than enough forces for the search.
DNA samples taken for identification
Shortly after the collapse, emergency teams were initially able to save several dozen people. In the past few days, however, the authorities have only announced gloomy news. It is feared that the number of deaths is likely to rise significantly in view of the many missing people. According to the police, eleven of the dead have so far been identified: The victims are between the ages of 26 and 83.
The search parties have also found unidentified “human remains” in the rubble. To identify victims, DNA samples were collected from relatives of the residents.
In the meantime, a fire in the rubble had significantly hampered the search. Also recurring heavy rain made the search parties to create again and again in the past few days.
The cause of the partial collapse is still unclear. The residential complex known as Champlain Towers South dates from the 1980s. At the weekend, an inspection report from 2018, written by an external company, became public, in which experts listed several defects – including major structural defects in the building’s concrete. US media also reported on letters from the property management company, which warned of structural risks to renovate millions. Investigators will investigate whether the apparently due renovations were related to the collapse.
US President Biden wants to visit the scene of the accident
With a view of the part of the residential complex that is still standing, Levine Cava said on Tuesday evening (local time) that experts were continuously monitoring the condition of the part of the building. This is not in acute danger of collapsing, but is “unstable”. Therefore, this part of the residential complex will no longer be entered by the emergency services.
The White House said US President Joe Biden would visit the scene of the accident with his wife Jill on Thursday to thank emergency workers and provide support to families who feared for the lives of their loved ones. dpa
