The search and rescue mission has been halted at the collapsed condominium in Surfside, Florida, Thursday due to safety concerns over the remaining part of the building.
There are concerns that the rest of the building could collapse after moving debris were identified, Reuters reported. Workers at the site of the collapse were ordered to stop working on Thursday around 2 a.m.
President Joe Biden visited the Miami suburb to comfort the families of the victims.
The death toll is currently 18 with 145 people still missing among the rubble, according to officials.
The Champlain Towers South condominium partially collapsed in the middle of the night last Thursday while its residents slept. The search for survivors has been ongoing since.
Biden said he expected the federal government to cover the cost and offered the state “whatever you need,” in a joint press conference with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Thursday.
DeSantis said, “Thank you Mr. President. You recognized the severity of this tragedy from day one, and you’ve been very supportive.”
It isn’t clear when the operation will resume, but Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levin Cava said at a news briefing Thursday it would continue as soon as it is deemed safe and that Biden’s visit “will have no impact on what happens at the site.”
Officials at the briefing also discussed the development of Tropical Storm Elsa, which could reach southern Florida by Monday and further impact search and rescue operations.
Android Users, Click Here To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. It’s Free And Coming To Apple Users Soon.
Support journalism by clicking here to our gofundme or sign up for our free newsletter by clicking here