Miami building collapse: No more survivors found overnight as fire hinders rescue efforts
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Your support makes all the difference.There has been no update to the number of survivors from the Miami building collapse overnight on Friday, officials said.
Rescue teams were still working to locate 159 unaccounted for people after the 12-storey Champlain Towers South building fell on Thursday. Four people have been confirmed dead.
One problem impacting the search efforts was a fire that’s burning deep within the rubble from the collapse.
Authorities were now working to locate the source of the fire, or fires, while also finding ways to still search for any possible survivors.
More fatalities are expected as authorities warned the number of missing from the collapsed apartment complex in Florida could increase from the current figure of 159.
Meanwhile, a researcher at Florida International University has revealed that the building had been sinking into the ground since the 1990s.
Firefighters rescued 35 people from the Champlain Tower South building that collapsed in the middle of the night on Thursday in Surfside, a beachside town just 6 miles (9.6 km) north of Miami.
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.
Press conference delayed by an hour
Miami-Dade Police have pushed back the start of a press conference.
The briefing, which was scheduled for 8.20am local time, is now taking place at 9.15am local time.
They added that it was “weather permitting”.
Meanwhile, the address for the family reunification centre has been corrected, and is 9301 Collins Avenue.
Of 130 apartments in building, 80 were occuped
More details about the occupancy of the 12-story building, built in 1981.
According to NBC Miami, it has more than 130 units.
Of those, it is believed 80 were occupied.
Marco Rubio says search and rescue ‘been on the scene for hours'
Florida senator Marco Rubio has commented on the Miami building collapse.
On Twitter, he wrote: “Horrible images emerging the partial collapse of a condo building in Surfside Florida last night.”
“Miami-Dade Fire Rescue has one of the best urban search and rescue teams in the world & they have been on the scene for hours searching for victims & survivors.”
Images show aftermath of building collapse
More information to come from officials
A press conference is beginning
Two taken to hospital and 35 trapped, says fire official
Approximately 35 occupants were trapped in the building, according to a Miami-Dade Fire spokesperson.
Among those, two were transported to hospitals in the area. They were pulled from the rubble.
Search and rescue is ongoing.
Police say investigation could take a week
“Are thoughts and prayers are with the families and the victims”, says the director of the Miami-Dade Police Department, Alfredo Ramirez.
“This is not going to be something that’s long term, its at least going to be a week”, he added of the search.
The office of Florida senator Marco Rubio, and governor Ron DeSantis, have also been in contact with police, added Mr Ramirez.
Number of people missing still to be figured out
Before the press briefing finished, Miami-Dade officials told reporters that the number of missing persons was still to be worked out.
Families of residents are directed to file a missing persons report at the following:
Watch: Boy pulled from rubble
Watch as a boy is pulled from the building’s rubble by a fire crew.
Boy pulled out of rubble after Miami building collapse
At least one person has died after a building partially collapsed in southern Florida’s Miami-Dade County
Aerial photos reveal extent of wreckage
Aerial photos of the apartment block reveal the extent of the wreckage after the building’s collapse.
Furniture and other household items can be seen among the rubble.
It isn’t yet clear what caused part of the building to collapse.
Concerned family members are asked to call 305-614-1819.
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