01of 12CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via GettyTragedy struck early Thursday morning near Miami when a wing of Champlain Towers South Condo, a12-story condominium buildingin Surfside, suddenly collapsed. The crash, which happened around 1:30 a.m., killed at least four people, theAssociated Pressreports. Now,a massive search-and-rescue missionis currently underway for survivors at the ocean-facing high-rise. As of Friday morning, 159 remain missing.President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for the state, with FEMA on the ground to respond to the tragedy,CNN reported.The president is expected toissue an addresslater today.AGoFundMefor victims is live, where over $80,000 has been raised to date. A spokesperson for the local emergency information hotline tells PEOPLE that donations to the South Florida chapter of theRed CrossandSurfside Recreation Centerare welcome during this time.Surfside Commissioner Eliana Salzhauer tells PEOPLE that the Red Cross has been busy on the ground giving immediate assistance to survivors and displaced residents, providing food, shelter, clothing and transportation.A spokesperson for the town of Surfside also tells PEOPLE that those interested in donating or volunteering can submit anonline registration form.The Shul Jewish Community Center isaccepting donationsto help families, while the Jewish non-profit organization Cadena Foundation is seeking donations of essential supplies as well asmonetary funds.As the South Florida community rallies together, World Central Kitchen, Direct Relief and the Miami Heat Charitable Fund are deliveringhot mealsvia food trucks to displaced victims. Donations can be madehere.Anyone searching for loved ones who may have been in Champlain Towers South, or to report them as safe, is urged to call the reunification hotline at 305-614-1819.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.02of 12CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty"The building is literally pancaked," Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett told the AP Thursday, warning that the death toll will likely, tragically, rise. “That is heartbreaking because it doesn’t mean to me that we are going to be as successful as we wanted to be in finding people alive.“03of 12The aftermath of the Surfside Condo collapse.CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via GettyAs thesearch for survivorscontinues, the cause of the collapse remains unknown. During a Friday press conference, the Miami-Dade Police Department confirmed an investigation is ongoing.During the briefing, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Ray Jadalla said officials “have hope” for finding survivors within the debris, as they focus rescue efforts on areas they have heard sounds.04of 12Surfside condo collapse.CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via GettyRubble and debris hang from the collapsed structure of the beachfront high-rise.NBC 6reports that Champlain Towers South was built in 1981, home to over 130 units.Mayor Burkett toldCNNthat the residential building was undergoing roof work, though it remains unclear if that factored into the collapse.05of 12Joe Raedle/GettyIt also remains unclear how many individuals were inside the condominium building at the time of the early morning collapse.So far, 120 people have been accounted for,NBC reportedon Friday.06of 12Surfside condo collapse.Joe Raedle/GettyMeanwhile, a professor at Florida International University hascome forward to claimthat the building, constructed in 1981, has been sinking since the 1990s.Shimon Wdowinski, a professor in the Department of Earth and Environment at the college, said his 2020 study of the site “detected” the collapse of the 12-story high-rise,USA Todayreported.Wdowinski said the study indicated the building was sinking 2 millimeters a year in the 1990s, noting, however, the rate could have slowed or accelerated in the years since.Nevertheless, Wdowinski and Florida authorities say it’s too soon to draw conclusions on the possible cause of the collapse.“We will continue search and rescue, because we still have hope we will find people alive,” Mayor Levine Cava stressed during Friday’s press conference.07of 12The Surfside Condo building.Joe Raedle/GettyChamplain Towers South was undergoing a standard recertification process, involving electrical and structural inspections, at the time of the tragedy. The process had not yet been completed.08of 12Joe Raedle/GettyAs the community comes together in the wake of the catastrophe, a “Surfside Strong” hangs on a local balcony as search and rescue operations continue.09of 12The scene in Surfside, Florida after the condo collapsed.Joe Raedle/GettyA man takes a knee to pray before the devastated Champlain Towers South Condo building on Friday. He toldGetty Imagesthat he lost a family member in the collapse.10of 12CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via GettyLightening strikes above the partially collapsed building in Surfside on the evening of June 24. As rescue crews searched for survivors, loved ones of those missing in the building waited to hear for news.11of 12Surfside condo collapse.Joe Raedle/GettyFirefighters from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue put out a fire at Champlain Towers South on Friday as the intense search and rescue mission continues.“I have to implore everybody: Just pray,” said County Commission Vice Chairman Oliver Gilbert at a press briefing, perCNN.12of 12CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via GettyAn aerial visual of first responders working at the beachfront Florida apartment building. With 159 people still unaccounted for, the AP reports that the rescue mission could go on for days.
01of 12CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via GettyTragedy struck early Thursday morning near Miami when a wing of Champlain Towers South Condo, a12-story condominium buildingin Surfside, suddenly collapsed. The crash, which happened around 1:30 a.m., killed at least four people, theAssociated Pressreports. Now,a massive search-and-rescue missionis currently underway for survivors at the ocean-facing high-rise. As of Friday morning, 159 remain missing.President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for the state, with FEMA on the ground to respond to the tragedy,CNN reported.The president is expected toissue an addresslater today.AGoFundMefor victims is live, where over $80,000 has been raised to date. A spokesperson for the local emergency information hotline tells PEOPLE that donations to the South Florida chapter of theRed CrossandSurfside Recreation Centerare welcome during this time.Surfside Commissioner Eliana Salzhauer tells PEOPLE that the Red Cross has been busy on the ground giving immediate assistance to survivors and displaced residents, providing food, shelter, clothing and transportation.A spokesperson for the town of Surfside also tells PEOPLE that those interested in donating or volunteering can submit anonline registration form.The Shul Jewish Community Center isaccepting donationsto help families, while the Jewish non-profit organization Cadena Foundation is seeking donations of essential supplies as well asmonetary funds.As the South Florida community rallies together, World Central Kitchen, Direct Relief and the Miami Heat Charitable Fund are deliveringhot mealsvia food trucks to displaced victims. Donations can be madehere.Anyone searching for loved ones who may have been in Champlain Towers South, or to report them as safe, is urged to call the reunification hotline at 305-614-1819.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
01of 12
CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty
Tragedy struck early Thursday morning near Miami when a wing of Champlain Towers South Condo, a12-story condominium buildingin Surfside, suddenly collapsed. The crash, which happened around 1:30 a.m., killed at least four people, theAssociated Pressreports. Now,a massive search-and-rescue missionis currently underway for survivors at the ocean-facing high-rise. As of Friday morning, 159 remain missing.
President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for the state, with FEMA on the ground to respond to the tragedy,CNN reported.The president is expected toissue an addresslater today.
AGoFundMefor victims is live, where over $80,000 has been raised to date. A spokesperson for the local emergency information hotline tells PEOPLE that donations to the South Florida chapter of theRed CrossandSurfside Recreation Centerare welcome during this time.
Surfside Commissioner Eliana Salzhauer tells PEOPLE that the Red Cross has been busy on the ground giving immediate assistance to survivors and displaced residents, providing food, shelter, clothing and transportation.
A spokesperson for the town of Surfside also tells PEOPLE that those interested in donating or volunteering can submit anonline registration form.The Shul Jewish Community Center isaccepting donationsto help families, while the Jewish non-profit organization Cadena Foundation is seeking donations of essential supplies as well asmonetary funds.
As the South Florida community rallies together, World Central Kitchen, Direct Relief and the Miami Heat Charitable Fund are deliveringhot mealsvia food trucks to displaced victims. Donations can be madehere.
Anyone searching for loved ones who may have been in Champlain Towers South, or to report them as safe, is urged to call the reunification hotline at 305-614-1819.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
02of 12CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty"The building is literally pancaked,” Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett told the AP Thursday, warning that the death toll will likely, tragically, rise. “That is heartbreaking because it doesn’t mean to me that we are going to be as successful as we wanted to be in finding people alive.”
02of 12
“The building is literally pancaked,” Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett told the AP Thursday, warning that the death toll will likely, tragically, rise. “That is heartbreaking because it doesn’t mean to me that we are going to be as successful as we wanted to be in finding people alive.”
03of 12The aftermath of the Surfside Condo collapse.CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via GettyAs thesearch for survivorscontinues, the cause of the collapse remains unknown. During a Friday press conference, the Miami-Dade Police Department confirmed an investigation is ongoing.During the briefing, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Ray Jadalla said officials “have hope” for finding survivors within the debris, as they focus rescue efforts on areas they have heard sounds.
03of 12
The aftermath of the Surfside Condo collapse.CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty
As thesearch for survivorscontinues, the cause of the collapse remains unknown. During a Friday press conference, the Miami-Dade Police Department confirmed an investigation is ongoing.
During the briefing, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Ray Jadalla said officials “have hope” for finding survivors within the debris, as they focus rescue efforts on areas they have heard sounds.
04of 12Surfside condo collapse.CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via GettyRubble and debris hang from the collapsed structure of the beachfront high-rise.NBC 6reports that Champlain Towers South was built in 1981, home to over 130 units.Mayor Burkett toldCNNthat the residential building was undergoing roof work, though it remains unclear if that factored into the collapse.
04of 12
Surfside condo collapse.CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty
Rubble and debris hang from the collapsed structure of the beachfront high-rise.
NBC 6reports that Champlain Towers South was built in 1981, home to over 130 units.
Mayor Burkett toldCNNthat the residential building was undergoing roof work, though it remains unclear if that factored into the collapse.
05of 12Joe Raedle/GettyIt also remains unclear how many individuals were inside the condominium building at the time of the early morning collapse.So far, 120 people have been accounted for,NBC reportedon Friday.
05of 12
Joe Raedle/Getty
It also remains unclear how many individuals were inside the condominium building at the time of the early morning collapse.
So far, 120 people have been accounted for,NBC reportedon Friday.
06of 12Surfside condo collapse.Joe Raedle/GettyMeanwhile, a professor at Florida International University hascome forward to claimthat the building, constructed in 1981, has been sinking since the 1990s.Shimon Wdowinski, a professor in the Department of Earth and Environment at the college, said his 2020 study of the site “detected” the collapse of the 12-story high-rise,USA Todayreported.Wdowinski said the study indicated the building was sinking 2 millimeters a year in the 1990s, noting, however, the rate could have slowed or accelerated in the years since.Nevertheless, Wdowinski and Florida authorities say it’s too soon to draw conclusions on the possible cause of the collapse.“We will continue search and rescue, because we still have hope we will find people alive,” Mayor Levine Cava stressed during Friday’s press conference.
06of 12
Surfside condo collapse.Joe Raedle/Getty
Meanwhile, a professor at Florida International University hascome forward to claimthat the building, constructed in 1981, has been sinking since the 1990s.
Shimon Wdowinski, a professor in the Department of Earth and Environment at the college, said his 2020 study of the site “detected” the collapse of the 12-story high-rise,USA Todayreported.Wdowinski said the study indicated the building was sinking 2 millimeters a year in the 1990s, noting, however, the rate could have slowed or accelerated in the years since.
Nevertheless, Wdowinski and Florida authorities say it’s too soon to draw conclusions on the possible cause of the collapse.
“We will continue search and rescue, because we still have hope we will find people alive,” Mayor Levine Cava stressed during Friday’s press conference.
07of 12The Surfside Condo building.Joe Raedle/GettyChamplain Towers South was undergoing a standard recertification process, involving electrical and structural inspections, at the time of the tragedy. The process had not yet been completed.
07of 12
The Surfside Condo building.Joe Raedle/Getty
Champlain Towers South was undergoing a standard recertification process, involving electrical and structural inspections, at the time of the tragedy. The process had not yet been completed.
08of 12Joe Raedle/GettyAs the community comes together in the wake of the catastrophe, a “Surfside Strong” hangs on a local balcony as search and rescue operations continue.
08of 12
As the community comes together in the wake of the catastrophe, a “Surfside Strong” hangs on a local balcony as search and rescue operations continue.
09of 12The scene in Surfside, Florida after the condo collapsed.Joe Raedle/GettyA man takes a knee to pray before the devastated Champlain Towers South Condo building on Friday. He toldGetty Imagesthat he lost a family member in the collapse.
09of 12
The scene in Surfside, Florida after the condo collapsed.Joe Raedle/Getty
A man takes a knee to pray before the devastated Champlain Towers South Condo building on Friday. He toldGetty Imagesthat he lost a family member in the collapse.
10of 12CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via GettyLightening strikes above the partially collapsed building in Surfside on the evening of June 24. As rescue crews searched for survivors, loved ones of those missing in the building waited to hear for news.
10of 12
Lightening strikes above the partially collapsed building in Surfside on the evening of June 24. As rescue crews searched for survivors, loved ones of those missing in the building waited to hear for news.
11of 12Surfside condo collapse.Joe Raedle/GettyFirefighters from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue put out a fire at Champlain Towers South on Friday as the intense search and rescue mission continues.“I have to implore everybody: Just pray,” said County Commission Vice Chairman Oliver Gilbert at a press briefing, perCNN.
11of 12
Firefighters from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue put out a fire at Champlain Towers South on Friday as the intense search and rescue mission continues.
“I have to implore everybody: Just pray,” said County Commission Vice Chairman Oliver Gilbert at a press briefing, perCNN.
12of 12CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via GettyAn aerial visual of first responders working at the beachfront Florida apartment building. With 159 people still unaccounted for, the AP reports that the rescue mission could go on for days.
12of 12
An aerial visual of first responders working at the beachfront Florida apartment building. With 159 people still unaccounted for, the AP reports that the rescue mission could go on for days.
source: people.com
