We turn our attention to the United States, where searchers are still prying up rubble to search for any signs of life in the deadly condominium building collapse. Meantime, new revelations about the cracking and spalling of concrete walls in the parking garage of that building have emerged. And more sad news tonight as the death toll rose to five last night after emergency workers found a victim’s body in the rubble. What’s more, a smouldering fire beneath the rubble hindered rescuers in their effort to search for any signs of life.
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As a gentle breeze wafts through Surfside, Florida, the search and rescue operation entered its fourth day.
More revelations today about that building collapse, as a report uncovered “abundant cracking and spalling” of concrete columns, beams and walls in the condominium building’s parking lot.
Morabito consultants did not warn of imminent danger from the damage, but it is currently unclear whether any of the damage observed earlier in 2018 was to blame for that deadly building collapse, which has already killed at least 5 people and left hundreds more unaccounted for.
The report also mentioned that the waterproofing under the pool deck in that building had failed and had been improperly laid flat instead of sloped to prevent water from draining off.
While engineers said some of the damage to the concrete walls in the parking garage was minor, steel rebar, with which the columns had been reinforced, was exposed.
Back to where rescuers are still working to find those unaccounted for. Despite firefighters trying to put out a smouldering fire beneath the rubble, the fire still hindered rescuers in their effort to search for those missing.
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava:
We’re facing very incredible difficulties with this fire. The fire has been going on for a while. It’s a very deep fire. It’s extremely difficult to locate the source of the fire. So they (firefighters) have been working around the clock. These fire rescue teams, these brave men and women under the rubble to fix this problem so they can get on. But it is hampering our search efforts.
Voiceover:
Relatives of those still missing or dead were lost for words, given the dire situation there. They say any guesses made at this juncture are just shots in the dark. But people like Maggie Ramsey, whose mother remains unaccounted for, were still hopeful.
Maggie Ramsey, relative of unaccounted-for person:
The weather hasn’t been cooperating. The fire hasn’t been cooperating. They are doing the best they can. So, (Reporter: What’s your level of hope?) I’m faithful. So my level of hope will always remain until I know the answer.
Voiceover:
Aided by dogs and other equipment for scanning, rescuers remain hopeful that people can survive in air pockets that may have formed in that heap of debris.
Visitors and residents, meanwhile, prayed for the rescuers and thanked them for leaving no stone unturned in their search for those missing or dead.
Eliagne Sanchez, Florida resident:
I know they are doing a lot, but I just wanted to pray for them, and see if they can find more people alive. That’s my hope.
Voiceover:
The building collapse happened on Thursday, when the South Tower of the condo complex collapsed. While rescuers are hell-bent on finding all those missing or dead as a result of that horrific building collapse, relatives of those unaccounted for will still remain in a nail-biting situation, and praying and hope are the only solace to their sorrow.
On a fence surrounding the entire condominium complex were photographs of those missing or dead, wreaths and flowers, and messages wishing those dead well in the afterlife.
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