New search begins
More areas to access after condo demolition
First responders resumed their search through the rubble of a Florida building collapse Monday after the final portion of the structure was demolished — opening up new areas for them to scour for victims.
The sections of the ruins in Surfside now accessible to searchers include bedrooms where residents were believed to be sleeping when part of the 12-story building fell in the wee hours June 24, burying nearly 150 people, officials said.
“We will be able to access every part of the pile, which they hadn’t been able to do up to this point,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday — as the confirmed death toll rose to 28.
“I think it’s going to move the pace, I think the momentum is very strong,” he said of the demolition’s effect on the rescue effort.
Workers had been limited to certain areas at the site because of the instability of the building’s remaining standing section.
That fact — and Tropical Storm Elsa’s looming assault on the region — led authorities to launch a controlled demolition of the final part of the Champlain Towers South condo building on Sunday night.
By Monday, three more bodies had been found.
There are 120 people still missing. In a moving display right before the demolition, dozens of first responders stood shoulder to shoulder to honor victims of the collapse.
“This evening, in a show of solidarity and support with our neighboring town, the City of Miami Beach has encouraged everyone to shine a light paying tribute to all of the Surfside victims, their families, and first responders involved in this national tragedy,” the Miami Beach Police Department said in a video of the moment posted on Instagram.
Miami firefighters also shared several videos of their emergency vehicles flashing their lights, including a rescue boat, on Twitter.
“Fire Boat 4 shines our light for those who cannot,” a caption said.
Among those now confirmed dead in the collapse was David Epstein, a retired real-estate investor with ties to Brooklyn.
He had moved to the condo tower several years ago with his wife, Bonnie, whose body was identified on Friday.
The couple were on the verge of heading north to visit their son, Jonathan, who lives in Brooklyn, the Miami Herald said.
“Heartbroken to share that both my parents’ remains have been recovered by the rescue teams in Miami,” Jonathan wrote on Facebook.
“Mom and Dad — I love you both so much, and I’m proud to be your son,” he wrote.