Journalism of Courage
Around 150 people are unaccounted for after the 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building collapsed in Surfside near Miami, Florida, on June 24, Thursday. At least nine have been reported dead. (Reuters)
What caused the building to cave in is yet to be determined. However, a 2018 engineer’s inspection report had found major structural deterioration in the parking garage beneath the 40-year-old tower. (Reuters)
Despite the warning, an inspector met residents of the building and assured them it was “in very good shape". (Reuters)
The assessment firm has also issued a statement saying that their 2018 report “detailed significant cracks and breaks in the concrete." (Reuters)
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava of Miami-Dade County said officials there knew nothing of the 2018 report. On Saturday, she announced a 30-day audit of all buildings 40 years and older under the county’s jurisdiction. (Reuters)
Meanwhile, rescue operations are on-going to search for the missing people. Teams from Israel and Mexico arrived earlier this week to assist Florida emergency responders in the search. (AP)
Leo Soto, 25, who lost his friend in the disaster, reacts as people hang up signs of missing residents. (Reuters)
“It’s an extremely difficult situation,” Fire Chief Alan Cominsky said. “Our rescue teams are nonstop, doing all that we can, searching every area, every bit of hope, to see if we can find a live victim.” (Reuters)
