Dozens of people are unaccounted for after a tower near the coast collapsed. Officials have not yet confirmed how many fatalities there were, but at least one person has been found dead and around half of all building units had crumbled by 11:00 am Thursday when rescuers pulled 35 from the wreckage. The mayor told reporters that heavy equipment is being brought in to stabilize the rubble so they can get more access to help those still trapped inside; until then it’s too early to tell if anyone else will be rescued alive or what caused this quake-like event in Miami Beach.
A devastating building collapse has left Miami-Dade residents in a state of emergency. Several homes were exposed and there was the fear that people may have been trapped inside. However, news reports confirm that at least 99 are missing after the event took place on Thursday morning when an apartment complex collapsed near the Florida International University campus in Miami. Rescue efforts continue to be underway as we speak with authorities begging for any information or help they can get if it’s safe to do so while crews work tirelessly through nightfall hours looking for anyone who might still be alive amidst all this chaos.
Commissioner Sally Heyman is worried that there are 51 people unaccounted for in the building. Officials have been unable to make contact with them, but they suspect these residents live nearby and may be away from their homes due to Hurricane Irma’s effects on Florida.
The Surfside Mayor, Charles Burkett, warned during a news conference that the building manager told him the tower was quite full and he feared for more victims.
“The building is literally pancaked,” Burkett said. “That is heartbreaking because it doesn’t mean to me that we are going to be as successful as we wanted to be in finding people alive.”
“I’ve lived here my whole life and I’ve never seen anything like this happen,” he said.
NewsNation’s Brian Entin reported spotting smoke coming from the site of the collapse as rescue crews continued to search for survivors.
“A construction site in the Bronx has turned into a disaster zone. Ten people were treated at the scene and two of them were brought to the hospital, one with life-threatening injuries.” Officials say it’s too early to know what caused this tragedy – but they’re not ruling out anything yet.
“We’re on the scene so it’s still very active,” said Sgt. Marian Cruz of Miami Dade Fire Rescue. “What I can tell you is the building is twelve floors. The entire back side of the building has collapsed.”
The Miami Beach Police Department shared a chilling image of the aftermath of Hurricane Irma on Twitter.
In just one photo, you can see how much damage this hurricane caused and it should be comforting that law enforcement is there to help those in need.
When asked about federal involvement in the search and rescue efforts, FEMA confirmed they have not sent any federal crews to the condo building yet. Florida regional teams lead this response so far.
The president of the United States, Joe Biden spoke with Miami Dade’s mayor and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz to help.
The collapse sent a cloud of debris through the neighborhood, coating cars up to two blocks away with dust that will not be wiped off easily or soon forgotten by those who were affected. President Obama has extended his condolences for victims on behalf of himself and all Americans nationwide during this time in our country when tragedy strikes again without warning.
“I say to the people of Florida, whatever help you want the federal government to provide. We’re waiting, just ask us. We’ll be there,” said Biden.
With the force of a bomb, half the building collapsed and rubble surrounded it. The cause is unknown and fire trucks from all over were on the scene to help clear out civilians in need as well as put out any remaining fires.
Police blocked nearby roads while ambulances rushed people away for medical attention outside what looked like an explosion at 88th Street near Collins Avenue in Surfside; which looks just about ready to collapse into heaps of debris that resemble small mountains.
Police blocked nearby roads while ambulances rushed people away for medical attention outside what looked like an explosion at 88th Street near Collins Avenue in Surfside; which looks just about ready to collapse into heaps of debris that resemble small mountains. It is unknown how the building came down but fire trucks from all over were on scene with civilians still needing help, putting out any remaining fires as well.
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