Massive fire hampers rescue efforts at collapsed Miami apartment building

Rescue teams continue to work this Saturday on the collapse of a building in Surfside, Florida (USA), while a “big” fire inside the rubble makes it difficult to find survivors, the authorities reported.

“We found a very big fire and we are trying to extinguish it to continue the search, the fire is still alive», He declared during a press conference Cava Daniella Levine, Mayor of Miami-Dade County.

According to the advisor, the number of dead and missing has not changed so far: 4 and 159, respectively, although the focus today remains the same, the search for survivors.

The official also reported that no body was found in the last hours. “Unfortunately, no other casualties were found. We continue the search. We are ready to help with funds for the inspection of other buildings. Thank you for being with us. We will continue the research, ”he said.

At the Champlain Towers, some of the rubble began to be removed using cranes and other heavy machinery., while in other areas of the iron and concrete mountain, rescuers, assisted by dogs and sonar, they look for signs of life.

In other areas they removed by hand and one by one each piece of the mass of iron, cement and furniture remains, as can be seen from the television pictures.

The tasks are hampered by the rain and wind that hit South Florida.

Levine Cava, who pointed out that “the hope of finding people alive“And the search will continue despite the”extreme risk“What this means for the rescuers, reporters asked her why she did not allow volunteers to join the task, as some family members asked.

The mayor replied that this was not possible, for security reasons, and stressed that the priority was to “save lives”.. Rescuers have worked in shifts all night and will continue to do so.

The governor and the mayor underlined the hard work they doSo much so that, according to Levine Cava, they are so motivated that there are times when they have to be “pulled out” from the mass of collapsing material or else they would go on without resting.

Rescuers did not hear a voice but they heard sounds, which, according to the Miami Fire Chief Dade, may not necessarily be man-made but may be due to movement of stacked materials.

These places are being searched more carefully, said Ray Jadallah, the deputy fire chief.

Members of Michelle Bachelet’s family, among the missing

Local media also report the names of some missing, including Latin Americans who lived in the building or stayed there temporarily.

Among them is the marriage consisting of Claudio Bonnefoy, 85 years old, and his wife, Maricoy Obias Bonnefoy, 69, who, according to Chilean media, They are linked to former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, current United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The building, with 12 floors and 136 apartments and located on the seafront, was inaugurated in 1981 and had just undergone a mandatory inspection for its 40 years. Experts say it will take months, if not years, to determine the causes of the collapse.

However, DeSantis and Cava said an explanation was needed “precise and on time“About what happened, because those affected have”the right to know”.

They both appreciated that the President of the United States, Joe biden, arranged for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff to join the search for possible survivors and assist family members.

The governor and the mayor also thanked all the help received for those who were left homeless by the collapse not only of individuals but of companies, like the company Lenar Homes, which donated a million bucks.

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