A city official in Miami reported that the number of missing persons due to the collapse of the Champlain Towers South has risen to 159, noting that the death toll has increased to 4, with 110 individuals identified as "safe" under the rubble. Rescue workers have been focused on clearing the debris from the fallen residential building in the Miami suburbs, stating that they heard sounds from beneath the rubble overnight. Meanwhile, families of the missing are holding onto any hope for the rescue of their loved ones, as rescue teams employ dogs, cameras, and thermal sensors in their search for survivors under the debris, which collapsed the day before yesterday (Thursday).
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told reporters that three more bodies were recovered from the debris overnight, while one person had died on Thursday. The mayor indicated that the number of individuals believed to be missing has risen to 159, up from the 99 previously reported by authorities. Rescue teams have been digging through tons of rubble on Thursday in hopes of finding any survivors, as reported by Reuters.
Authorities stated that rescue teams detected some sounds, but no human noises were heard from beneath the rubble after hours following the collapse of a large portion of the Champlain Towers South building. Cava stated today that rescue teams have "very strong motivations" to find survivors and added, "We still have hope of finding survivors." She mentioned that an additional 110 others have been identified and “declared safe.”
President Joe Biden approved a state of emergency in Florida and ordered federal assistance to support the state's efforts in addressing the incident. The White House stated on Friday, "The president's decision authorizes the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate all disaster relief efforts."
The cause of the collapse of the 12-story building, which was built 40 years ago, is still unclear, but local officials stated that the building was undergoing roof construction and other repairs. Champlain Towers South includes more than 130 residential units, about 80 of which were occupied.
