Florida Building Collapse: Death Toll Rises to 5 as Fire, Smoke Impede Search and Rescue Operations
The death toll on the Florida building that collapsed on Thursday rose to five, as search and rescue operations continue in the area. Miami-Dade Mayor Danielle Levine Cava confirmed with Associated Press on Saturday during a news conference, that another body was found. Initially, only four people were confirmed to be dead after the tragedy.
Meanwhile, officials also confirmed that at least 156 people were still unaccounted for in the wake of Thursday's tragic incident in Florida. On the other note, the mayor confirmed that another 130 people were already accounted for.
The update on the total number of deaths after the Florida building collapsed happened as search and rescue efforts were obstructed by fire and smoke, according to a report from Wall Street Journal. Officials confirmed that the fire was located deep in the debris of the 12-story condominium.
To address the issue, officials noted that they utilized heavy equipment to create an opening and contain the fire. Furthermore, the rescuers also utilized infrared technology, foam, and water to isolate the fire.
Details regarding the origin of the fire, located inside the rubble of the building, were still not clear.
Florida Building Collapse: Evacuation Might Be Needed on Sister Building
Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that the sister building of the condo that collapsed might be evacuated. The warning was made by the governor during a press conference on Saturday in Surfside, according to a report from Fox News.
Governor DeSantis noted that the condo that collapsed in Florida and its sister building "was built at the same time with the same designer." DeSantis also underscored that the decision to evacuate the sister building of the condo that collapsed lies on Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett.
"I can't tell you, I can't assure you that the building is safe," said Burkett said in Fox News citing New York Times.
The Surfside Mayor also noted that he was concerned about the "structural integrity" of the sister building, but he was not "philosophically comfortable" in ordering the residents out.
Florida Building Collapse: 2018 Engineer Report Reveals "Major Error" in Condo that Collapsed
In the wake of Thursday's tragedy, a 2018 report came to light revealing that there was a "major error" in the design of the Florida building that collapsed. Wall Street Journal noted that the report was released by the town on Friday, citing that the error allowed water to pool near the condo's base.
Engineering firm Morabito Consultants inspected about half of the building's 136 units, including the roof exterior and other common areas. Moreover, the engineering firm also found cracked tiles on multiple boundaries which according to the report was evidence of "structural damage beneath the surface."
"We are obviously very interested in all of the evidence coming to light," said Mayor Levine Cava, assuring that occupants of other buildings were safe.
Despite the engineer's report coming to light, the official cause of the Florida building that collapsed was still not identified by the authorities.
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WATCH: Florida Building Collapse: 2018 Report Found 'Major Structural Damage' - From TODAY