“I can’t put it into words. It looks like a bomb hit,” said an eyewitness. Another described the nocturnal situation as follows: “The building shook and when I looked outside I couldn’t see anything. I thought it was a storm. But when the dust settled, two-thirds of the house was gone.”
So far, only one fatality has been confirmed. The number of injured was given as nine. Another 35 people were released from the house with more than 130 residential units, it said.
Shortly after the collapse in the night: a frightening detailed view
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The search for other possible victims continues – also with the help of sniffer dogs. The police asked onlookers not to obstruct the rescue work. It is unclear how many people were in the building at the time of the collapse.
Cause unclear
The affected complex in Surfside near Miami Beach is known as the Champlain Towers. It was built in the 1980s.
For orientation: The accident occurred in this preferred location with a sea view
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Mayor Charles Burkett reported that a crane had been used to work on the house. He was stunned to see such a tragedy in his place. “It’s less likely than lightning. It just doesn’t happen. You don’t see buildings collapse in America,” said Burkett.
wa / sth (dpa, afp)
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