On the fifth day of the rescue operation following the deadly condominium building collapse in Surfside Florida, the death toll rose to 9. Relatives were growing increasingly agitated as some of them demanded to visit the scene. More than 150 people remain missing, while rescuers continue to search for signs of life in one way or another.
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As the search enters its fifth day, the death toll rose by four people, to a total of 9.
Daniella Levine Cava, Mayor of Miami-Dade:
And we’ve recovered eight more victims on-site, so I am confirming today that the death toll is at 9.
Voiceover:
While waiting for breakthroughs in the search entails patience and hope, one family member of a missing resident found mementos of his missing family members, and considered them antidotes to pain.
Mike Noriega, grandson of missing resident:
My grandmother, that’s my grandfather, and that’s my dad right there in the middle. And it was a birthday card that was given to her a couple of weeks ago. I just feel like it’s really god’s way of comforting us to say, either way, whatever happen with your grandmother, she’s ok.
Voiceover:
And a friend of a happy couple who were set to tie the knot, expressed his sadness either.
Leo Soto, friend of unaccounted for person:
They both had big plans for the future. They had just moved to that apartment. They were going to start a family of their own, and unfortunately, nobody has heard from them.
Voiceover:
Under the request of relatives of those missing, Israeli rescue teams arrived in Florida to work alongside FEMA specialists.
Families of the unaccounted for rode buses to a site close by from which they could watch rescue teams at work on Sunday afternoon, as some of the relatives of those missing became desperate and demanded to visit the site by themselves.
But be that as it may, the mayor of Surfside, Florida, said praying and remaining hopeful are the only ways to help prevent the relatives from falling victim to pain and depression.
Charles Burkett, Mayor of Surfside, Florida:
We’ve got to hope and pray that we’re going to get lucky. We’re going to pull some people out of there, and put all the people out of there. Actually, I’m looking forward to miracles. We’re expecting miracles.
Voiceover:
Trying to let the dust settle as soon as possible, rescuers continued to search desperately for any signs of life, with some delicately and feverishly searching through the heap of rubble. The catastrophe speaks volumes, but rescuers are not calling it quits, as they have been leaving no stone unturned in their search for more bodies, survivors and human remains with the hope of finding more survivors in the rubble.
On a nearby sidewalk, firefighters were seen putting toys that were discovered in the rubble near the fence. And while relatives of those missing remain up in arms, well-wishers places wreaths and flowers under the photographs on the fence, and notes with uplifting and heartwarming messages.
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