Hundreds are still looking, digging, holding out hope there might be survivors under all that rubble. As the days go on though, frustration grows and hope fades. Monday we learned two additional bodies were recovered today. This brings the total to 11 people confirmed dead and 150 still unaccounted for.
Disaster teams from Israel and Mexico flew into Miami to assist in efforts. The experts have dealt with multiple building collapses, but they haven’t been able to access the site yet because officials say there are only so many people who can safely sift through the pile at once. FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell wrote, “After witnessing the heroic rescue efforts and meeting with partners today, I’m confident we are all doing everything we can to help the #Surfside community. @fema will continue providing resources & technical support while also helping people apply for disaster assistance.”
That statement is doing little to calm those who are waiting for any piece of news. While speaking with family members, one woman whose daughter is missing addressed Governor Ron DeSantis and other officials expressed concern that the other disaster teams haven’t been able to access the site:
“It impossible that in four days nobody has emerged dead or alive… Imagine if your children were in there…My daughter is 26-years-old, in perfect health, she could make it out of there. Four days have gone by… Red tape is not important when my daughter is dying.”
In response, DeSantis issued the following statement:
As a father, Governor DeSantis sympathizes with the devastating pain these families are feeling as they await news about their missing loved ones. Any of us would feel the exact same way in this tragic situation.
Miami Dade County has some of the best First Responders in the world. They responded within minutes of the collapse and their rapid response saved lives. They’ve continued for the last 3 days around the clock, in dangerous conditions, to find the missing.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava echoes those comments.
Earlier today I visited the collapsed building with Director @FEMA_Deanne. It’s heartbreaking – but watching our men and women searching the rubble without stopping reaffirmed just how lucky we are to have the best in the world on this mission. pic.twitter.com/bwmhcbu8L9
— Daniella Levine Cava (@MayorDaniella) June 27, 2021
Magally Ramsey’s mother is among those missing. She captured the thoughts of many people who are awaiting news about loved ones, “It’s really difficult for some families regardless to hear that because people want to start understanding where those victims are regardless of what that outcome is.”
Watch more above from the Today show.