Officials identify 2 children dead in Surfside condo collapse, toll rises to 18

The death toll from the building collapse in Surfside, Fla., now stands at 18 people, including two children, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced Wednesday.

During a daily press briefing Wednesday evening, Cava said with “great sorrow” and “real pain” that two children, four-year-old Emma Guara and 10-year-old Lucia Guara, were confirmed dead in the rubble of the 12-story building. 

“Any loss of life, especially given the unexpected, unprecedented nature of this event is a tragedy,” Cava said. “But the loss of our children is too great to bear.”

The confirmation of additional fatalities leaves 147 people still unaccounted for, Cava added.

During the evening briefing, Cava also noted the potential that a tropical cyclone could hinder rescue efforts. Attempts at finding and identifying bodies in the debris have already been plagued by falling debris and weather. 

“The weather has continued unfortunately [to be] inclement, causing definitely some challenges. But [rescuers] have continued, they have persisted,” Cava said earlier Wednesday.