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(SURFSIDE, Fla.) The death toll at the 12-story residential building that partially collapsed in South Florida’s Miami-Dade County last week has risen to 24, leaving 121 unaccounted for, as search and rescue efforts paused amid preparations to demolish the remaining structure, officials said Saturday.
The partial collapse occurred around 1:15 a.m. on June 24 at the Champlain Towers South condominium in the small, beachside town of Surfside, about 6 miles north of Miami Beach. Approximately 55 of the oceanfront complex’s 136 units were destroyed, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Raide Jadallah. Since then, hundreds of first responders have been carefully combing through the debris in hopes of finding survivors.
Elsa Update: Tropical storm watch issued for Florida Keys
Obtained by CNN
By Jason Hanna, Dakin Andone and Aya Elamroussi, CNN
Search and rescue efforts at the partially collapsed South Florida condo will temporarily pause as officials prepare for the demolition of the building’s remaining units, officials said Saturday.
The search and rescue operation paused at 4 p.m., Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said at a news conference Saturday evening. Officials are waiting on instructions from the engineers who are inspecting the site and will resume search and rescue when they are cleared to do so.
Levine Cava did not provide a timeline for the planned demolition, but officials said earlier a crew could demolish the remaining units of Champlain Towers South as soon as Sunday, ahead of the approaching Tropical Storm Elsa. Otherwise, Elsa’s winds, which might reach the area early next week, could topple the structure unsafely, officials said.
Condo Collapse: Owners fear for missing Surfside pets as impending demolition draws near
Published: July 3, 2021 8:42 PM EDT
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Animal advocates are concerned that animals are left behind in the portion of Champlain Tower South that did not collapse and they are in need of rescue.
“I’ve had this dog on my mind so I saw it and it’s very difficult Stephen phantom set a dog is even a lot in a building that’s going to be demolished,” said Dahlia Canes, animal advocate.
“There’s Coco, there’s Mia. Cats, when they try to feed they couldn’t get to you because the balcony was locked,” said Canes.