Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials confirmed at least one person is dead, and nearly 100 others are still unaccounted for after a condominium building partially collapsed early this morning.
The collapse occurred at the Champlain Towers South building near 88th Street and Collins Avenue in Surfside just north of the city of Miami Beach between 1:00 and 2:00 am.
As of midday 99 people believed to have been living in the partially collapsed section of the building have not yet been accounted for.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava confirmed that the 12-story building built in 1981 contained more than 130 units, 55 of which collapsed.
The White House released the following statement hours after the tragic incident: “The White House is monitoring the situation, and the White House and FEMA are in contact with local officials to assist if needed. Our hearts go out to the loved ones of those who lost their lives as a result of this terrible tragedy and to the families who wait in anguish as search-and-rescue teams assess the situation. We send our gratitude to the heroic first responders working tirelessly to save lives this morning,” the statement read.
