At midday, dozens of people still weren't found. This raised fears that the death rate could rise. Officials did not know how many people were inside the tower at the time it fell around 1:30 a.m.
Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett said that the building was literally "pancaked". "It is heartbreaking, because it doesn’t mean that we will be as successful in finding people alive, which I find disappointing."
Searchers attempted to rescue a child trapped by his parents hours after the collapse. Another case involved rescuers saving a mother and her child. However, the woman's leg was damaged in the attempt to lift her from the rubble. Frank Rollason, director at Miami-Dade Emergency Management told the Miami Herald.
The video showed firefighters removing a boy from the wreckage. However, it was unclear if he was the same person Rollason had mentioned.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, Ron's tour guide, stated that television could not capture the magnitude of what occurred.
Rescue crews are doing everything possible to save lives. He said that the rescue crews are "continuing to do everything they can to save lives" and will not stop.
A team of between 10 and 12 rescuers was working in the rubble with dogs, equipment, and heavy lifting until they were exhausted. Then, they made way for a new team.
Patronis stated that they are not going to stop because it is nightfall. They may choose a different route.
Patronis stated that he was moved by the image, which showed a bunk bed at the top of the building.
He said, "Somebody was probably asleep in it." "There are all the what-ifs."
The cause of the collapse was not revealed by authorities. Video footage from nearby showed the central part of the building falling first. A section near the ocean was seen teetering, then coming down seconds later.
Burkett stated that work was being done to the roof of the building, but he didn't see how this could have led to the problem.
Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County mayor, said that she received a call from President Joe Biden offering federal assistance. She said that some of the displaced people were accommodated in hotels and that food, medicine, and other supplies were being quickly arranged. Officials from rescue tried to figure out how many people were missing and asked residents to check in.
The mayor stated that about half of the 130 units in the building were damaged. Raide Jadallah, Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue, stated that rescuers had pulled at most 35 people out of the rubble by mid-morning. Heavy equipment was being brought in to stabilize the structure and allow them greater access.
Burkett stated that the tower is home to a mix year-round and seasonal residents. The building keeps a log, but does not keep track who their owners are.
Burkett stated earlier that two people were brought into the hospital. One of them died. Burkett said that 15 families were able to walk out of the building by themselves.
The collapse that occurred on one side of the L-shaped tower seemed to have caused damage to walls. It left many homes exposed in the remaining part of the building, making it look like a huge dollhouse. Television footage showed the interior of bunk beds, tables, and chairs. Some parts of the building were covered with air conditioners, which hang from wires.
The area was surrounded by piles of rubble and debris. Cars up to two blocks away were covered with light dust.
Barry Cohen, 63 said that he heard the sound while he was asleep with his wife. They went to their balcony and opened the hallway door to discover "a heap of rubble, dust and smoke" around.
Cohen, the former vice-mayor of Surfside, stated that "I couldn’t walk out beyond my doorway." "A gaping hole in the rubble."
He and his wife managed to get down to the basement, where they found rising water. They screamed for help upstairs and were finally rescued by firefighters using a cherrypicker.
Cohen stated that he had concerns years ago after seeing cracks in pavers on the pool deck and raised concerns about nearby construction.
Eliana Salzhauer, Surfside City Commissioner, told WPLG that the 40-year recertification process for the building was in progress. Salzhauer stated that the process seemed to be moving smoothly. On Wednesday, a building inspector was present.
Salzhauer stated, "I want to find out why this happened." "That's the only question. It could happen again. Is there any other building in danger?
After being warned to leave, residents of buildings nearby the collapsed gathered at an evacuation site in a nearby center. Some people wept. Some were still wearing their pajamas. Some children tried to sleep on mats on the ground.
Jennifer Carr was sleeping in a nearby building when she heard a loud boom, and her room vibrated. Although she thought it was a thunderstorm, she checked her phone's weather app and found none. She and her family saw the building collapse after its fire alarms went off.
Carr stated, "It was devastation." "People ran and screamed."
Nicolas Fernandez waited until Thursday morning to hear from close family members who were living in the damaged section.
She said, "Since it occurred, I've been calling them constantly, just trying to call their cellphones as often as possible to aid the rescue to see how they can hear the cellphones."
In the southeast corner Surfside, was built this condo development. There were a few units with two bedrooms that are currently available for sale. The asking price ranged from $600,000 to $600,000. This area has a distinct neighborhood feel, which is a stark contrast with South Beach's bustle.
