Florida Condo Collapse: Final Missing Person Identified, Closing the Search Efforts for Reported Missing Victims in the Site
The 98th casualty and final missing person on the Florida condo collapse was identified by the authorities on Monday, bringing the search efforts for the reported missing victims in the June 24 tragedy to a close. Miami Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced the recovery of the final missing individual, in a press conference that happened on Monday, NBC News reported.
During the press conference, Mayor Levine Cave said that they notified the family of a recent individual recovered, following the identification of the victim's remains.
Last Victim of the Florida Condo Collapse, Identified: Death Toll Rises to 98
Associated Press reported that the final missing person in the Florida Condo collapse was identified as Estella Hedaya, 54 years old. Hedaya's relative described her as an outgoing person who loves to travel.
"She [Hedaya] always mentioned God anytime she was struggling with anything," the victim's brother said.
Hedaya's brother, identified as Ikey Hedaya, noted that the victim's remains will be transferred to their hometown, Midwood, Brooklyn, for a Jewish funeral followed by a Shiva, CBS Miami reported. Hedaya was reported to be the only victim left unrecovered when the firefighters concluded their search for bodies on Friday.
Hedaya's recovery also rose the Florida condo collapse's death toll to 98. Mayor Levine Cava underscored that all the persons who were reported missing were recovered. Meanwhile, 242 people were accounted for. Furthermore, an additional victim of the June 24 tragedy was reported to die in the hospital, but Miami Dade County officials highlighted that the said individual was not reported missing.
Apart from Hedaya, the fatalities of the Florida building collapse were composed of members of the area's community, Paraguay first lady's sister and her family as well as their nanny. The oldest known victim of the condo collapse was Hilda Noriega, 92 years old; while the youngest was identified as Aishani Gia Patel, 1-year-old.
"Nothing we can say or do will bring back these 98 angels, who left behind grieving families, beloved friends, loved ones across this community and across the world," Levine Cava said. The Miami Dade mayor also lauded the efforts that brought closure to all those who reported their missing loved ones after the tragedy in Florida.
The Associated Press also noted that search teams spent weeks facing the hazards of the rubble and went through more than 14,000 tons of debris from the tragedy before declaring their mission complete.
Florida Condo Collapse: Death Toll May Still Rise
Despite the number of casualties in the June 24 tragedy, Mayor Levine Cava's deputy communication director, Natalia Jaramillo, said that the death toll of the Florida Condo collapse may continue to rise, explaining that there might be someone in the rubbles that was not reported.
The Miami Dade Mayor noted that their police department will continue to search on the "evidentiary pile" to ensure that all identifiable human remains are recovered.
Meanwhile, what will happen to the site of the Florida condo collapse was still unclear.
READ NEXT: 2 Nieces of Paraguay First Lady Among Latest Victims of Florida Condo Collapse
This article is owned by Latin Post
Written By: Joshua Summers
WATCH: Last Victim Identified at Condo Collapse Site- From Associated Press