BIDEN CONSOLES FAMILIES OF COLLAPSE VICTIMS

SURFSIDE President Joe Biden visited Florida on Thursday to comfort the families of those killed and missing in last week's condominium collapse, as the search-and-rescue operation was temporarily suspended due to concerns about the stability of the remaining structure.

The confirmed death toll remained at 18, after the discovery of six more bodies in the ruins of the Champlain Towers South condo, including two children, aged 4 and 10. Another 145 people are missing and feared trapped in the rubble.

After arriving in Miami, Biden attended a briefing with local officials, including Gov. Ron Desantis, who is widely seen as a potential Republican presidential candidate in 2024.

Biden told them he would deliver “whatever you need” and said he expected the federal government would cover the full costs.