Miami building collapse: Two more bodies recovered from debris as rescue work continues
TWO more bodies have been found at the collapsed condominium in Miami, Southern Florida.
Miami: Eyewitness reacts to building collapse in Surfside
The death toll of the tragic building collapse has now risen to 22. As many as 126 people still remain unaccounted for as rescue workers continue to search through the rubble.
The Champlain Towers South in Surfside, a 13-storey residential building collapsed on Thursday, destroying 55 of the building’s 136 flats.
It fell on June 24, 2021, at around 1.25am.
Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County Mayor, announced the recovery of the bodies on Friday during a press conference.
"Over the course of today's search, we did recover two additional victims,” she said.
“We now have 22 confirmed deaths; 188 people accounted for and 126 unaccounted for.
“Our detectives are continually editing this list as we verify every single report that we have received regarding a potentially missing person.
“And, as a result, these numbers will continue to change as we've told you so often.”
The County Mayor also announced she had signed an emergency order authorizing the demolition of the building as it poses a danger to “public heath and safety”.
READ MORE: Miami building collapse: Horrifying video emerges of 12-storey cave in
The search for survivors was paused for about 14 hours on Thursday amid fears the rest of the building might come down.
Rescue workers are still holding onto hope of finding someone alive.
President Joe Biden met with the families of the missing on Thursday and prayed with them to find their loved one's alive.
“They’re praying, they’re pleading, ‘God, let there be a miracle,’” he said.
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During the press conference today, Ms Levine Cava also offered a prayer for the families and said the situation was a “nightmare scenario for everyone involved”.
She said: “This is so excruciating for everyone, the waiting and waiting and hoping and praying for the families, especially, of course, and also for the first responders.
“They don't want to miss any opportunity, any moment to be saving lives. And, so, it's just been a nightmare scenario for everyone involved.”