Mainstreet Daily News
Concern about the stability of still-standing portions of Champlain Towers halted work at the collapsed 12-story condominium building in Surfside, Fla., at 2 a.m. on Thursday. After a nearly 15-hour pause, the work resumed just before 5 p.m. Thursday evening.
Search and rescue crews in Surfside had noticed cracks in the rubble widening and some debris moving, prompting the pause.
Where do things stand? The death toll rose to 18 with 145 people still missing. Though rescue efforts continue, crews haven’t found any more survivors since the initial hours after the collapse.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrived on Thursday to meet with first responders, rescue personnel, and bereaved families. He offered federal support for the rescue and recovery efforts.
“We can do it,” he said. “Just the simple act of everyone doing what needs to be done, makes a difference.”
—With reporting from J.C. Derrick
This story originally appeared in WORLD. © 2021, reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.