WINDSOR TERRACE — At least 159 people are still unaccounted for in Surfside, Florida, after a partial collapse of a residential condominium.
As the search for signs of life entered a second day, Archbishop Thomas Wenski of the Archdiocese of Miami issued a statement saying in part, “Search and rescue teams continue to sift through the rubble to find survivors and to recover the bodies of those who did not. Our hearts go out to all those affected by the tragedy.”
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami is collecting financial donations to assist those affected by the partial collapse of the Champlain condominiums, in Surfside, FL.
Donations are being collected through the Catholic Charities website: https://t.co/WLJ62gnn1f… pic.twitter.com/yL0ngayHNi— Archdiocese of Miami (@CatholicMiami) June 25, 2021
Wenski’s statement continued, “Our Catholic Charities and local clergy have joined with other voluntary agencies and faith leaders to assist in whatever way they can. We also pledge our prayers for the victims, their families, and first responders.”
The community, located just north of Miami Beach, is waiting and praying for any positive news from rescue workers as they comb through debris.
“We are going to work as hard as we can to continue our search and rescue effort. That is our priority,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said.
The 12-story building, which was built in 1981 and contained 136 units, partially collapsed early Thursday morning.
“The search and rescue team worked throughout the night and it was a very active scene,” Cava said. “From above and below. And we also brought heavy machinery onto the site to assist with the operation.”
Meanwhile, those with loved ones still unaccounted for are hoping for a miracle.
“Right now, we’re just hoping for the best,” said Jeffrey Rose, whose parents own a unit in the building. “They are obviously searching through the rubble to see if they can, hopefully, find some survivors.”