Rescuers worked tirelessly to remove concrete layers from the crumbling 12-story Champlain Towers South in Surfside last week.
Raide Jadallah, Miami-Dade Assistant Fire Chief Fire Chief, told relatives of the missing Wednesday that an overnight ramp had allowed rescuers access to sections not previously accessible. He stated that this increases the chance of finding new areas of space during the urgent search for survivors.
Jadallah stated that he hoped to see a significant improvement in the possibility of finding any voids we don’t yet see.
Jimmy Petronis, the State Fire Marshal of Miami, said that the ramp was a “herculean effort” which would allow crews to “leverage massive equipment to remove large pieces of concrete,” which could result in good results.
Tuesday night saw the discovery of four more bodies, bringing the total number of victims to 16. Crews also discovered other human remains. Jadallah informed family members that relatives of those who died have not been identified. Over 140 people remain unaccounted for.
The seventh day of searching for survivors was not without challenges. The building’s collapse in a pancake has made it difficult to find anyone who might have survived in a small area.
Chief of Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue Alan Cominsky stated that the so-called delayering is dangerous and difficult.
Cominsky stated Wednesday that the group is working together to achieve that goal. “We are working collaboratively to save someone’s lives.” It’s been difficult. That is what I want to stress. We are still moving forward. We can see the resources coming through. We have exhausted every option.
Officials expressed concern about severe weather interfering in search efforts.
Crews have had to cope with weather delays and intermittent bad weather, and are currently monitoring two storm systems in the Atlantic Ocean. According to the National Hurricane Center, the storms could become tropical systems within the next few days. However, it is not clear at this time if they will pose a threat for the U.S.
Gov. Ron DeSantis stated that some resources in Surfside may need to be removed in the event of severe weather. He said, “It’s the season and you have to be prepared.”
Officials in the state asked for an additional search-and-rescue team to be sent because of possible severe weather. Kevin Guthrie, of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said that the new team would likely be from Virginia and would be available in case of severe weather. This would allow crews who have been working at this site for days to move out.
