Condo collapse: Toll rises to 22: nearby building evacuated in Florida

In USA, two more people were found dead in the debris of a partially collapsed condominium building in Florida on Friday, taking the death toll to 22, officials said. This rise in deaths came as Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava  told that she signed an order which authorised the demolition of the portion of the building which is still standing. “We’re still evaluating all possible impacts and determining the best timeline to actually begin the demolition,” Cava said, adding the top priority is search and rescue and the building poses a threat to public health and safety.

The number of people missing in the June 24 tragedy in South Florida fell from 145 to 126, after duplicate names were striked off and some residents, which were earlier reported missing, were found to be safe. Cava added the figures of missing are expected to keep changing as detectives are constantly reviewing the list and verifying reports. Amid the possible arrival of Hurricane Elsa, which will bring strong winds to Florida, the rescue operations might be suspended. According to the National Weather Service, the storm could approach Florida as early as Monday.

Meanwhile, authorities started evacuating residents of nearby condominium building on Friday in the wake of the June 24 mishap. The city of North Miami Beach said in an official statement the 156-unit Crestview Towers had been deemed structurally and electrically unsafe months ago.