99 Missing in US Apartment Collapse... Search Expected to Take Over a Week

Structural delays... Number of presumed missing continues to rise
Biden emphasizes federal government support

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Baek Jong-min] It has been reported that 99 residents remain unaccounted for following the apartment collapse in Florida, USA. As rescue operations are delayed, a large-scale human casualty is anticipated.

According to U.S. media including CNN, local police authorities announced on the 24th (local time) that 99 people remain missing after the apartment collapse in Surfside, Miami-Dade County, Florida.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Initially, the police were unable to determine the number of missing persons immediately after the incident, but as time passed, the scale of the damage has rapidly increased. Previously, the police had identified 51 people as missing. However, it has not been confirmed whether all those who lost contact were inside the apartment.

According to nearby residents, most of the apartment residents are known to be Jewish.

Rescue authorities estimate that the search and rescue operations for the missing could take more than a week. Although 15 hours have passed since the incident, rescue efforts have not proceeded due to concerns over the collapse of the remaining building.

U.S. President Joe Biden also immediately expressed his willingness to support rescue efforts. President Biden stated that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is ready to respond immediately and is waiting for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency.

President Biden also explained that the entire cabinet, led by Chief of Staff Ron Klain, is making efforts to support the victims of this disaster.

At around 1:30 a.m. that day, part of the 12-story Champlain Towers South apartment located on the beach in the Surfside area collapsed, resulting in one death and more than ten injuries. Of the building’s total 136 units, 55 were destroyed.