Today marks the start of the second week in the search for those missing in the condominium complex collapse in Surfside, Florida. The confirmed death toll has risen to 18, and some 140 people remain unaccounted for. President Joe Biden and his wife are set to visit Florida later today to thank first responders, as well as search and rescue teams.
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Still no end in sight in the search for those missing or deceased in the aftermath of the condominium building collapse, as rescuers continue to work around the clock in the second week of the search for missing residents.
Search crews prying up the rubble found the remains of 6 more people on Wednesday, bringing the number of deaths to 18, while the number of residents unaccounted for stands at 145.
In light of slow progress, officials are now caught between a rock and a hard place, as they have to decide whether to halt the operation. They said rescuers are on the right track, and that only when every resident is found will authorities stop the operation. The city’s mayor vowed officials will get to the bottom of the tragedy.
Officials also claimed the rescue teams’ morale remains high, as rescuers are still dead set against calling it quits, and are tough as nails, despite the predicament.
“It’s been tough, I just want to emphasise that. It’s been tough. You know, talking to our personnel, the spirits are high. You know, we’re still moving forward.” Said Chief Alan Cominsky, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
Since the tragedy happened, officials there have been determined to prevent the situation from becoming a farce. It is clearly evidenced by their united and cooperative effort as they respond to the crisis.
Another noteworthy point is that, instead of sweating the small stuff, officials have been losing no time in searching for those missing or dead. It goes without saying, relatives of those missing knowing their loved ones had died because of officials worrying about unimportant matters and delaying the search and rescue operation would only rub salt in the wound.
Meantime, President Joe Biden is slated to visit the site, alongside his wife, to thank rescue teams and officials there for their hard work and perseverance. Their visit is considered a relief to relatives of those missing or deceased.
“We are very grateful that the President is coming. He’s been showing support for this community since the beginning.” Said Freddy Ramirez, Miami-Dade police director.
While authorities are trying to get to the bottom of the incident, there is word major structural damage of the walls in the parking garage, which was revealed by a 2018 engineering report, was the biggest culprit of the building collapse.
The rescue team’s determination and well-wishers’ messages are antidotes to pain and sorrow, and are giving the families of those missing or deceased strength and hope.
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