A large condominium in Miami was partially destroyed by the elements on Thursday morning. This prompted a huge response from first responders who were on the scene to try and locate survivors.
“We’re still on the scene so it is still very active,” stated Sgt. Marian Cruz, Surfside Police Department. “I can tell you that the building has twelve floors. The entire back of the building is gone.”
Miami Dade Fire Rescue reported that over 80 units arrived on the scene, with support from local fire departments.
#MDFR is on scene of a partial building collapse near 88 Street & Collins Avenue. Over 80 MDFR units including #TRT are on scene with assistance from municipal fire departments. Updates will be provided on Twitter as they become available.
— Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (@MiamiDadeFire) June 24, 2021
According to The Associated Press, “The collapse created a cloud of debris in the neighborhood, covering cars up two blocks away with a thin layer of dust.” The collapse of half the tower was captured on video and photos. The area around the building was surrounded by debris and rubble. The department is still investigating the cause of the collapse close to Collins Avenue and 88th Street.
Technical Rescue Teams and units from @MiamiDadeFire going balcony-to-balcony of collapsed condo building in #Surfside just north of Miami Beach. The collapse happened sometime around 1:30….I heard the sound of saws as crews look for anyone who might be trapped @NBCNews pic.twitter.com/m9bSePV2v6
— Sam Brock (@SamBrockNBC) June 24, 2021
“The building, one of these huge buildings, gone, right there beside us, the craziest thing I’ve ever heard in my life,” one witness told local media. “Look at the building, it’s gone.”
“I was able to just see probably a third, if not half of the building, literally collapsed,” another witness said. “I just can’t put into words, it looks like a bomb hit, it looks like something in one of these ‘Third World’ countries that just literally collapsed, like a pancake straight down, and there’s just an incredible pile of rubble.”
