Rescue efforts in Surfside building collapse resume

The search for survivors of the Surfside, Fla., building collapse resumed Thursday afternoon, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava (D) said. 

During a daily press conference on the disaster, Cava said rescue efforts resumed at around 4:45 p.m. She said that structural engineers have studied conditions at the site to ensure it was safe to continue. 

“I am grateful to their hard work that got us back to work on the search and rescue as soon as possible,” Cava said. “And we are continuing, of course, that we do everything to protect our first responders.”

Rescue efforts had been underway since the building suddenly collapsed last week. Efforts were halted earlier on Thursday amid concerns that the rest of the building would collapse.

Scott Nacheman, a structure specialist with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Urban Search and Rescue support team, said that operations were paused because movement was detected. 

The building itself had not moved, but debris in the pile below the building, and debris on the building itself, had displaced, Nacheman said. 

Cava said rescuers will have limited access to the collapse zone due to “ongoing safety concerns about the integrity of the building.”

Engineers will move forward with “ongoing testing and evaluation” as authorities look to expand the search area. 

Cava further said that authorities are proceeding with plans for the “likely demolition” of the building while search and rescue efforts continue. 

The death toll from the collapse remains at 18, and at least 145 people are still unaccounted for. 

President Biden visited Surfside earlier on Thursday, where he said the federal government intends to pick up “100 percent of the costs” to the county and state for the response for 30 days. 

Updated at 7:44 p.m.