Miami building collapse - updates: Death toll reaches 12 as extra rescue team requested amid tropical forecast
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The death toll from the collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, continues to rise, with 12 confirmed fatalities, and a further 149 people missing.
Authorities in Florida have asked the federal government to send another rescue team to aid its efforts amid reports that tropical storms could hit Miami in the coming days.
Over the weekend, US media reported that a Surfside official assured residents of the now-collapsed condominium that it was “in very good shape”, a month after an engineering report found it had “major structural damage”.
A resident of a sister building told reporters he had “concerns” about a crack that appeared n his block, Champlain Towers East, after Thursday’s tragedy. Residents in the block have been offered to evacuate, although there is no imminent threat.
It comes amid reports that the building’s developers broke rules by adding an additional floor to the 12-storey building, and afterwards ignored warnings of structural damage.
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.
Elderly couple married for 58 years found by each other’s side in Miami condo collapse
For those who missed it, here is a story about two of the victims of last week’s tragedy.
Antonio and Gladys Lozan were one month shy of their 59th wedding anniversary when their home collapsed last week, killing them as they slept side-by-side. Their bodies were found by rescuers this week.
Speaking to CBS Miami, the couple’s son Sergio said: “I was told they were in bed together. That’s the end of the romantic story.”
Elderly couple married for 58 years found by each other’s side in Miami condo collapse
Couple met as 12-year-olds in Cuba before immigrating to the United States and marrying on Miami Beach
Neighbours ask whether they could be next
Many residents is Surfside, Florida, have been asking themselves whether what happened to Champlain Towers South could also happen to their buildings.
Robert Lisman, a 27-year-old marketing manager who lives in an adjacent high-rise building, is shocked by the devastation.
“I think we all grieve differently, and I felt that the first thing that I could do is try to help my own building, because we had structural damage as a result of the south tower collapse,” he says.
The Independent’s Richard Hall has this report from Miami:
In the aftermath of devastating Florida building collapse, neighbours ask: Could it happen to me?
In wake of building collapse, some residents of Miami Beach have called for answers about their own homes
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