Safety concerns halt rescue efforts at condo

SURFSIDE, Fla. (AP) — Rescue efforts at the site of a partially collapsed Florida condominium building were halted Thursday out of concern about the stability of the remaining structure after crews noticed widening cracks and up to a foot of movement in a large column, officials said.

The stoppage that began shortly after 2 a.m. threatened to keep search teams off the rubble pile for an unknown period and dim hopes for finding anyone alive in the debris a week after the tower came down.

The rescue operations were called off on the same day that President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden visited the devastated community.

The collapse of the 12-story Champlain Towers South beachfront condominium killed at least 18 people and left 145 missing. Hundreds of search-andrescue personnel have painstakingly searched the pancaked rubble for potential signs of life, but no one has been rescued since the first hours after the collapse.

"This is life and death," Biden said during a briefing. "We can do it, just the simple act of everyone doing what needs to be done, makes a difference."

"There's gonna be a lot of pain and anxiety and suffering and even the need for psychological help in the days and months that follow," he said. "And so, we're not going anywhere."

The president was expected to meet later with first responders and family members of those affected by the collapse before delivering remarks Thursday afternoon.

Rescue work was halted after crews noticed several expansions in cracks they had been monitoring. They also observed 6 to 12 inches of movement in a large column hanging from the structure "that could fall and cause damage to support columns" in the underground parking garage, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Alan Cominsky said.

In addition, they noticed movement in the debris pile and slight movement in some concrete floor slabs "that could cause additional failure of the building," he said.

Officials will work with structural engineers and other experts to "develop options" to continue rescue operations, Cominsky said.

Biden's visit "will have no impact on what happens at the site," Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told a news conference.

"The search-and-rescue operation will continue as soon as it is safe to do so. The only reason for this pause is concerns about the standing structure," she said.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said state engineers, the fire department and county officials are exploring options on how to deal with the structural concerns.

Submitted Photo Area firemen were called on to fight multiple fires Wednesday afternoon from grass fires to a fire in a cotton seed oil mill. Forrest City Firefighter Kevin Renigar cuts a wire mesh section to extinguish a fire while Lt. Justin Sharp creates a cone of water to cool sparks down to prevent additional fires.

Brodie Johnson • Times-Herald The St. Francis County Museum is decorated for the Independence Day Holiday and ready for guests to visit on Friday during the CommUNITY Jazz Jam, scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m., in the downtown area. Volunteers have spent the past couple of weeks picking up trash across the city to improve the appearance. Following the Jazz Jam, a fireworks show will be held at the Sports Complex, with the show scheduled to begin about 9 p.m.