A massive search and rescue effort is under way as dozens are still unaccounted for.
UPDATE: 8:00 PM EST
As search and rescue efforts continue late into Thursday evening, reports say that the initial number has risen to as many as 100 people still unaccounted for.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said that firefighters and rescue teams will continue working around the clock to save as many lives as possible, adding that they “are so motivated to bring people out safely and return them to their loved ones.”
UPDATE: 8:00 AM EST
A 12-story building in Surfside, a Florida Miami-Dade County town, partially collapsed Thursday morning around 1:30 AM.
So far, 35 people have been pulled from the collapsed part of the structure, several more were found in the rubble, and one death has been reported. It is unknown how many more are missing, but some reports suggest more than 50 still unaccounted for.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Assistant Fire Chief of Operations Raide Jadallah said the building had 136 residential units. Of that number, 55 units in the Northeast corridor of the building collapsed.
Governor DeSantis said, “We’ll hope for the best in terms of additional recoveries, but we are bracing for some bad news just given the destruction that we’re seeing.”
Thank you to those who have responded to the tragic building collapse in Surfside. These first responders saved lives. The state has emergency response personnel on site and will assist in any way it can. — Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) June 24, 2021
Officials have not determined what caused the collapse and the investigation will proceed once rescue efforts are completed.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the rescue teams and other first responders dealing with the building collapse near Miami.
- For God’s mercy and grace upon those who are unaccounted for and those who have been injured.
- For God to be with the families of the injured and deceased.
- For investigators to determine the reason for the building’s failure.
Sources: Miami Beach Police, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, ABC News, CBS News
