The demolition of the remaining portion of Champlain Towers South in Surfside has made it easier for rescuers to comb through the rubble, but unfortunately, there has been no good news. The Miami Herald writes:
The death toll is now at 36, including 12 found since Sunday night’s demolition — the result of greater access to formerly inaccessible layers beneath the concrete and steel debris, officials said.
Yet despite the measured progress in recovering the dead, 109 people are still unaccounted for since the partial collapse of the 12-story Champlain Towers South condo on June 24, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said Tuesday afternoon at a news briefing.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Director Alan Cominsky said, “Unfortunately, we are not seeing anything positive. The key things you’re looking for, void space, livable spaces, we’re not coming across that.”
Funerals for 7 victims of building collapse held in Miami Beach, Surfside, New York https://t.co/vlNJWxYi3t pic.twitter.com/kiMbRSAaAV
— WPLG Local 10 News (@WPLGLocal10) July 6, 2021
The bodies of two young sisters pulled from the rubble of a Florida condo building — so tiny that they were placed in the same casket — were buried alongside their parents Tuesday, their white coffin draped with innocent pink and purple ribbons. https://t.co/TDnYuT1EWc
— CBS News Miami (@CBSMiami) July 6, 2021
Bands from what was Tropical Storm Elsa have been coming in and out of the Miami area since Monday afternoon further slowing down search efforts, though crews are trying to work through the rain. They only stopped when there was lightning in the area.
Watch more above on the search from the local ABC affiliate in Miami.