More bodies have been recovered in Surfside bringing the official death toll up to 64, with 76 people still unaccounted for. This update comes less than 24 hours after crews changed the mission from rescue to recovery. Late Wednesday, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine made the devastating announcement:
It’s with profound sadness that tonight we transition our operation from search and rescue to search and recovery. May God bring peace to all whose hearts have been broken, and may He watch over our community in the hard days ahead.
Crews stood alongside officials for 15 minutes of silence to remember the victims. The Miami Herald writes:
A somber moment of silence marked the end of the two-week search for survivors of a Florida condominium collapse, as rescue workers stood at solemn attention and clergy members hugged a line of local officials while many of them sobbed.
In tribute to lives lost, our rescue teams held a moment of silence & prayer near the Surfside building collapse. With heavy hearts, we begin search & recovery efforts, and will continue to give our all as our commitment still remains to reunite families with their loved ones. pic.twitter.com/FJ7GKWXhXn
— Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (@MiamiDadeFire) July 8, 2021
Martin Langesfeld, whose sister and brother-in-law are missing thanked rescue crews for their efforts, “I want to truly say thank you. We didn’t get the outcome we wanted. But we did become a family. I want to say thank you everyone who came together for this.”
The Herald adds:
On a tall nearby fence, families and well-wishers had posted photos of the victims, supportive messages and flowers. Firefighters hung a banner atop the fence that read “Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Mourns With You.”
Officials vowed to continue the recovery efforts until they find the remains of every one of the missing.
SEE IT: Following the moment of silence at the collapse site, @MiamiDadeFire, with the blessing of the community, put up a sign at a #Surfside memorial wall. It reads: "Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Mourns With You." https://t.co/nieCIdK4r2 pic.twitter.com/ljzjgBeSVI
— CBS News Miami (@CBSMiami) July 7, 2021
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