The body of a Miami firefighter’s daughter was found in the rubble of the collapsed building in Surfside on Thursday.
Stella Cattarossi, 7, lived in apartment 501 of the Champlain Towers South overlooking the ocean. The girl shared a bedroom with her mother. Her grandparents, Graciela and Gino Cattarossi, were in another bedroom, according to WPLG-TV. The girl’s aunt, identified as Andrea Cattarossi, was visiting from Argentina when the building collapsed.
None of the little girl’s other family members have yet been found.
The child’s father, who was not identified, was standing with his brother when her body was removed from the rubble. He placed his jacket over her and also set a small American flag on her. He was then able to carry her out of the area.
“When he was made aware that we were close to where his loved one may have been, then he stood side by side with some of his other fellow firefighters,” said Captain Ignatius “Iggy” Carroll. “We were able to bring her and then at least give him an opportunity to say his farewells.”
According to Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, the death toll was listed at 22, with 126 people still missing as of Friday.
