Section of Condominium Tower Collapses in Florida

A wing of the condominium building Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, a community in Miami-Dade County, collapsed on June 24 in the early morning hours. As of June 30, the collapse has caused 18 confirmed deaths, with 145 people remaining unaccounted for.

 Investigations have already begun into the cause of the partial building collapse. Building residents had long complained of building defects and had planned to spend millions in repairs for the building. Inadequate waterproofing of the swimming pool may have allowed water. including saltwater (which causes more advanced deterioration), to seep into the concrete. The building was also believed to have been sinking for years prior to the partial collapse.

Emergency crews immediately began working to clear the rubble as they searched for survivors. So far, only one person has been rescued from the collapsed portion of the building. Another 18 were rescued from other sections of the building.

In response, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has ordered an audit of all building older than 40 years and with more than five stories. Others, including the editorial board of the Miami Herald and Miami-Dade County State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, have called for a grand jury investigation into the cause of the collapse.