Step by step, the images of the shock demolition of the Champlain complex in Miami

A controlled explosion destroyed the unstable remains of the collapsed Miami apartment building on Sunday night before a looming tropical storm arrived. In seconds, the rest of the 12-story South Champlain Towers at Surfside were demolished.

Experts used small, strategically placed detonations, using a technique known as “energy demolition” which also relies on the force of gravity to bring down the building. The procedure detonated the building on site, containing the collapse in the immediate vicinity.

For hours after the collapse, no one has been found alive. As of Sunday evening, 24 people had been confirmed dead and 121 were missing. But if the effort does not derail, Elsa could ultimately be “a blessing in disguise,” said Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett, hastening the building’s demolition and making way for larger rescue teams. It could clean up almost a third of the site that was previously inaccessible, He said. “This demolition will open up the whole area,” said Burkett, still hoping to find survivors.

Here, the sequence in pictures of the shocking demolition:

Videos :

Photos: Reuters

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