Authorities believe 100 people could be missing and at least one person has died following the collapse of a 12-story building in Miami, Florida.
Almost 100 people have been left unaccounted, according to Miami-Dade Police spokesperson Alvaro Zabaleta.
At least one person died because of the collapse, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said.
The complex was constructed in 1980 and has 130 units, half of which were impacted by the collapse.
#MDFR began search & rescue efforts. Firefighters rescued 35 occupants from inside the building. Out of the 35, 10 occupants were treated for injuries and two were transported to local-area hospitals. #SurfsideBuildingCollapse pic.twitter.com/Q0M8DXbChz
— Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (@MiamiDadeFire) June 24, 2021
Local Mayor Charles Burkett says “the back of the building, probably a third or more, is totally pan-caked”.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families in Surfside as we respond to this tragedy in our community.
— Mayor Francis Suarez (@MiamiMayor) June 24, 2021
Thank you to @MiamiPD and @CityofMiamiFire for getting to the scene quickly—we sent 10 fire rescue units along with drones and K-9 units to assist with search and rescue. pic.twitter.com/lhsrUjePM7
The Red Cross has arrived to set up temporary hotels for all of those people displaced.
US President Joe Biden offered his sympathy, saying “whatever help you want, what the federal government can provide, we’re waiting, just ask us. We’ll be there”.
Recovery efforts for missing people could take up to a week, while an investigation into why the building collapsed could take longer.
More than 80 firefighters and rescue crew are at the scene, searching for the missing residents.
