FL - Champlain Towers South Building Collapse, Miami, 24 June 2021 Media Thread **NO DISCUSSION**

[cujenn81]

Many feared dead after Florida beachfront condo collapses

SURFSIDE, Fla. (AP) — A beachfront condo building partially collapsed Thursday outside Miami, killing at least one person and trapping others in the tower that resembled a giant fractured dollhouse, with one side sheared away. Dozens of survivors were pulled out, and rescuers kept up a desperate search for more.

A wing of the 12-story building in the community of Surfside came down with a roar around 1:30 a.m. By late evening, nearly 100 people were still unaccounted for, authorities said, raising fears that the death toll could climb sharply. Officials did not know how many were in the tower when it fell.



4 dead, 11 hurt, dozens missing in high-rise collapse near Miami Beach, officials say


More than 150 people were unaccounted for after a high-rise condo building partially collapsed near Miami Beach early Thursday, leaving at least four people dead and 11 injured, officials said.

Rescuers continued to search through the debris of the 12-story building in Surfside, a town in Florida's Miami-Dade County, for any survivors Friday morning and were not giving up, officials said.



4 Dead, 159 Unaccounted for, Search and Rescue Underway After Partial Collapse of Surfside Condo Building


The collapse on Thursday morning sent a cloud of debris through the neighborhood, coating cars up to two blocks away with a light layer of dust. Footage from the scene showed a large section of the sea-view side of the building collapsed into a pile of rubble.

Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett warned during a news conference that the building manager told him the tower was quite full and the death toll was likely to rise. He also said the building could be in danger of additional collapse.

 

[cujenn81]

 

[cujenn81]

 

[cujenn81]

Champlain Towers South Condominiums - Miami Beach, FL | Zillow

Champlain Towers South Condos, apartments For Sale & Rent | HQ Realty

 

[cujenn81]

 

[cujenn81]

Miami police investigates collapse of condo that left one dead and 99 missing | Daily Mail Online

Four confirmed dead in Surfside condo collapse, search and rescue efforts continue

 

[cujenn81]

SEE IT: Condo Collapse In Surfside

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A video has surfaced of the partial collapse of a condo building in Surfside.

The collapse happened around 1:30 a.m. at the Champlain Towers South, at 8777 Collins Avenue.


Search crews working through the night; 99 unaccounted for building rubble

At least one person was killed after a high-rise building near Miami Beach partially collapsed early Thursday morning, authorities said. Ten or more were injured — and as of 8:30 p.m., 99 remain unaccounted for, according to Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.


‘Like it had been hit by a missile’: Residents who survived the collapse describe being inside.

Raysa Rodriguez, 59, was asleep in her apartment at Champlain Towers South when the building began to shake in the early hours of Thursday morning — as if there had been an earthquake. On the balcony, she saw a plume of white smoke. Ms. Rodriguez rushed to her front door. “When I opened the door, I’m like, ‘There’s no more building,’” she said.

Her unit, 907, is on the west side of the building, which stayed intact. But a few doors down, from unit 904 and onward on the building’s north side, everything was flattened, she said. She ran inside to put on shorts and shoes and to grab her purse.


Families Desperate To Find Missing Loved Ones After Partial Surfside Building Collapse

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A fire broke out Thursday afternoon at the partially collapsed Surfside building.

The fire broke out on the north side of the Champlain Towers, located at 8777 Collins Avenue.


Building collapse in Miami: Structure had been sinking into the earth

A Florida high-rise that collapsed early Thursday was determined to be on unstable land a year ago, according to a researcher at Florida International University.

The building, which was constructed in 1981, has been sinking at an alarming rate since the 1990s, according to a study in 2020 by Shimon Wdowinski, a professor in the Department of Earth and Environment.


https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-beach/article252324218.html

After the dust had settled and the fog of incredulity had lifted, Soriya Cohen had only prayer and hope and questions — lots of questions — about the abrupt and violent collapse of a 12-story oceanfront condominium tower in Surfside early Thursday morning.


4 dead, 11 hurt, dozens missing in high-rise collapse near Miami Beach, officials say

More than 150 people were unaccounted for after a high-rise condo building partially collapsed near Miami Beach early Thursday, leaving at least four people dead and 11 injured, officials said.

Rescuers continued to search through the debris of the 12-story building in Surfside, a town in Florida's Miami-Dade County, for any survivors Friday morning and were not giving up, officials said.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/06/24/surfside-building-collapse-miami-dade/

SURFSIDE, Fla. — Early Thursday, in a terrifying instant, a large section of a high-rise condo collapsed in South Florida, shearing off part of the building and leaving at least one person dead and 10 injured, with scores more missing and an urgent question: How did this happen?


WATCH: FIU Engineer Discuss Possible Cause of Surfside Condo Collapse | Y100 | Florida News


Researcher: High-rise that collapsed was sinking, due for recertification

The 12-story beachfront condominium tower in Miami-Dade County that collapsed early Thursday morning was built in 1981 on reclaimed wetlands and a Florida International University researcher told USA Today that the building had been sinking at an alarming rate.

The building had 136 units, 55 units of which were in the two wings that collapsed.

“I looked at this morning and said ‘Oh my God.’ We did detect that,” Shimon Wdowinski, professor in the Department of Earth and Environment at Florida International University, told the newspaper.

 

[cujenn81]

Search crews have heard sound from the rubble, state fire marshal says

State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis tells CNN that tactical units working the collapsed building heard sounds from the rubble earlier today as they did search and rescue efforts.

Patronis said that rescuers heard an individual earlier today in the parking garage area that they are having difficulty getting to.



Dozens Of People Are Missing After A 12-Story Florida Condo Partly Collapsed

Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is on the way to the site of the collapse of the 12-story residential condo in Surfside, Fla. President Joe Biden early Friday approved federal assistance to aid state and local response efforts.

Ninety-nine people are still unaccounted for since the building split and part of it came crashing down at around 1:30 a.m. Thursday.



Miami building collapse updates: Surfside condo search, rescue efforts

Residents screamed for help as they sought to flee the building earlier in the day, and some were plucked from the building by firefighters using ladders. Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett confirmed that at least one person had died but warned the death toll was likely to rise. By late Thursday, nearly 100 people were still unaccounted for, and authorities did not know how many were in the tower when it fell.



Attorney For Surfside Condo That Collapsed Answers Questions – Fort Lauderdale News


https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Executive-Order-21-148.pdf

#BREAKING: Florida Gov. DeSantis signs emergency declaration for those displaced by Surfside condo collapse https://bit.ly/3gTqLFd

 

[cujenn81]

Collapse Tears Away Portion of 40-Year-Old Surfside Beachfront Building

The Champlain Towers South Condos is located at 8777 Collins Avenue. The development was built in 1981 in the southeast corner of Surfside, on the beach, and has more than 130 units. It had a few two-bedroom units currently on the market, with asking prices of $600,000 to $700,000, an internet search showed.

The collapse, which appeared to affect one leg of the L-shaped tower, tore away walls and left a number of homes in the still-standing part of the building exposed in what looked like a giant dollhouse. Television footage showed bunk beds, tables and chairs inside. Air conditioners hung from some parts of the building, where wires now dangled.

 

[cujenn81]

‘We’re all hoping she’s OK’: NYC lawyer who moved to Florida in March missing in condo building collapse

A New York lawyer who recently moved to Florida is among the missing in Thursday’s devastating condo building collapse in South Florida.

Linda March, 58 — who specializes in representing building owners, contractors and developers who run afoul of city codes and regulations — was still missing Thursday evening, hours after the 1:30 a.m. collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside, Fla., said local media and her ex-husband.



Son recounts mom's concerns night before building collapse - CNN Video

Pablo Rodriguez, whose mother and grandmother are still unaccounted for following the collapse of his mom's condo building in Surfside, Florida, tells CNN's Erin Burnett about the most recent conversation he had with his mom.



After the collapse of Surfside’s Champlain tower: a day of dread, helplessness, heroism

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article252337838.html



Relatives of Paraguay’s first lady missing in Miami collapse

Relatives of Paraguay's first lady missing in Miami collapse


Witnesses watched the 12-story building fall in a matter of seconds.

Witnesses watched the 12-story building fall in a matter of seconds.


Australian couple feared missing in Miami building collapse

Miami building collapse: Concerns for missing Australians

 

[cujenn81]

Cause of Miami condo collapse unclear, but experts say barrier islands present risks

Collapsed Miami condo was built on a barrier island, which scientists say presents risks



Surfside condo that collapsed was going through recertification process

Surfside condo that collapsed was going through recertification process

A representative for the owner said that as part of the recertification they were going to be doing a concrete restoration project, but that was not yet underway.

“This building has been under a lot of scrutiny lately with the 40-year recertification of the building and with the 88 Park building going up next door to the south,” Surfside Commissioner Charles Kesl told Local 10 News. “There were garage underground issues related to that, to make sure that it was done soundly.

“And, to my understanding, there were some cracks from that project — minor cracks — that were just patched up.”


Residents Livid as Developer Demolishes Historic Hotel After Promises to Renovate

Residents Livid as Developer Demolishes Historic Hotel After Promises to Renovate



Rescuers Hear Banging Sounds in Rubble of Collapsed Condo Near Miami

Rescuers Hear Banging Sounds in Rubble of Collapsed Condo Near Miami



Florida condo collapse: Family, friends of the missing cling to hope

Florida condo collapse: Family, friends of the missing cling to hope

"They were in the tower that first collapsed," he said. "We saw it when we saw the video. It's the very first tower that comes down, that was their unit."


First lawsuit filed after partial building collapse in Surfside

First lawsuit filed after partial building collapse in Surfside

Class action suit seeks over $5 million in damages

 

[cujenn81]

8777 Collins Ave PENTHOUSE A, Miami Beach, FL 33154 | Zillow

Just sold in May


8777 Collins Ave #PH-4, Surfside | MLS# A10940788 | Closed Rental

 

[cujenn81]

Surfside, Fla., Condo Owners Are Suing The Collapsed Building's Association

Surfside, Fla., Condo Owners Are Suing The Collapsed Building's Association


'There's so many people waiting': At least 4 dead, 159 unaccounted for in Florida building collapse

Miami building collapse: Surfside, Florida, condo search continues



Video shows standing water underneath Surfside building, long-standing concern of residents before collapse

Video shows standing water underneath Surfside building, long-standing concern of residents before collapse

 

[cujenn81]

After A DEA Building Collapsed In 1974, Engineer Created Recertification Program To Prevent Future Disasters

After A DEA Building Collapsed In 1974, Engineer Created Recertification Program To Prevent Future Disasters


Florida Surfside Building Was Subject of 2015 Lawsuit Alleging Failure to Maintain Wall

Florida Surfside Building Was Subject of 2015 Lawsuit Alleging Failure to Maintain Wall


Expert says 'concrete cancer' might have caused Champlain Tower partial collapse

Expert says 'concrete cancer' might have caused Champlain Tower partial collapse

 

[cujenn81]

Miami-Dade Authorities Publicly Identify 1st Victim Of The Condo Tower Collapse

Miami-Dade Authorities Publicly Identify 1st Victim Of The Condo Tower Collapse

Stacie Fang, 54

 

[cujenn81]

 

[cujenn81]

The Miami Herald's heartbreaking list of the missing can be found here:
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article252362358.html

Andres Levine
Moises Rodan
Raymond and Mercedes Urgelles
Luis Sadovnic and Nicole ”Nicky” Langesfeld
Linda March
Jose A Gonzalez and wife Maria Gonzalez
Brad Cohen, Gary Cohen, Elisheva Cohen
Luis Fernando Barth, 51, wife Catalina Gómez, 44, and 14-year-old daughter Valeria Barth were visiting and staying in the building
Frank Kleiman and his wife Annie Ortiz Kleiman and son Luis Bermudez
Jay Kleiman
Nancy Kleiman
Ilan Naibryf
Deborah Berezdevin
Richard George Rovirosa, 60, and wife Maria G. Rovirosa
Silvana Lopez Moreira, niece Sophia Lopez and husband Luis Pettengill
Jose A. Gonzalez and wife Maria Gonzalez
Angela, Julio and Terry Velasquez
Marina Azen
Elaine Sabino
Dick Augustine
Arnie Notkin and Myriam Caspi Notkin
Michael Altman
Judy Spiegel
Estelle Hedaya
Graci Cattarossi and daughter Stella
Edgar Gonzalez
Juan Mora, Sr., and Ana Mora
Juan Mora
Maricoy Obias-Bonnefoy, 69 and Claudio Obias-Bonnefoy, 85
Alfredo Leone and his son Lorenzo
Cassondra Stratton
Lois Marcus
Chaya Gila bas Yehudis
Ilan Ben Ronit
Andres Galfrascoli, Fabian Nunez and daughter Sofia Nunez
Hilda Noriega
Vishal Patel and his wife, Bhavna, and their 1-year-old daughter, Aishani
Gil and Betty Guerra
Leidy Luna Villalba
Francis R. Plasencia
Maggie Vazquez-Bello
Rosa Saez
Bonnie and David Epstein
Gladys and Antonio Lozano
Cristina and Leon Oliwkowicz
Marcus and Ana Guara, along with their 11-year-old & 4-year-old daughters Lucia & Emma
Simon Segal

Any information about the following people (listed by their Hebrew names), please contact Chabad of South Broward

Ari Ben Ita
Moshe Ben Shoshana
Moshe Ben Toba
Lein Ben Ilana
Yehuda Arie Ben Fejga Rivkah
Rut Bat Sara
Devorah Bat Clara
Chaim Ben Sara
Malka Bas Sara Rochel
Yisroel Tzvi Yosef Ben Toiba
Tzvi Doniel Ben Yehudis
Ita Bat Miriam
Leibl Ben Feigue Rivka
Myriam Notkin and husband Arnie Notkin
Miriam Bat Sara
Ilan Naibryf and his mother, Karen
Ilan Ben Avraham
Mikael Ben Hans
Gabriela Bat Sarah
Leib Ben Shoshana
Sarah Bat Ida
Nancy Bat Sofia
Franky Ben Nancy
Deborah Bat Haia
Jay Ben Nancy
Nicole Bat Andrea
Yaakov Reuvein Hacohen Ben Devorah
Nancy Kress Levin

 

[cujenn81]

https://www.scribd.com/document/512921705/Wall-Damage

Here is the 2015 lawsuit complaint.

In Exhibit B, it seems to indicate that there were also two 3rd party defendants.

1. Tong LE PE Inc (google says a Professional Engineer based in Margate FL)
2. Western Waterproofing Co of America



https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...live-updates/#link-7WZEI43MSBCF3N5WMRBRJJYMZI

"Daniel Wagner said rusted steel and corroded concrete contributed to the water damage caused inside his client’s first-floor unit."

 

[cujenn81]

Cassondra Stratton, Woman With Colorado Ties, Still Not Found As Search Continues At Site Of Miami-Area Condo Building Collapse


Cassondra Stratton, Woman With Colorado Ties, Still Not Found As Search Continues At Site Of Miami-Area Condo Building Collapse

 

[cujenn81]

Lawyer who sued condo association says signs of corrosion were previously ignored

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...live-updates/#link-7WZEI43MSBCF3N5WMRBRJJYMZI

An attorney who sued the condominium association at Champlain Towers South in 2015 said Friday that if the building collapsed due to neglected structural problems, it would be consistent with the unwillingness to address such issues in his client’s case.

Daniel Wagner said rusted steel and corroded concrete contributed to the water damage caused inside his client’s first-floor unit.



EXCLUSIVE - Engineer who surveyed Champlain Towers for six months wasn't asked to look at its foundations, condo board lawyer reveals - as first survivor files a $5million lawsuit over building collapse

Engineer who surveyed Champlain Towers wasn't asked to check foundations | Daily Mail Online

The engineer who studied Champlain Towers for six months before recommending changes for recertification did not study its foundation or look beneath the building, a lawyer for the condo board association told DailyMail.com.

Frank Morabito was hired by the condo association to review the building and give them a list of updates needed for its 40-year recertification. He was not asked to look at the building foundations or ground beneath it because it's not part of the general recertification requirements.

'It's not standard operating procedure to include excavating under the foundation,' Donna DiMaggio Berger, an attorney for the condo board told DailyMail.com on Friday.



Mystery of what caused South Florida condo collapse deepens

Champlain Towers South: Mystery of what caused the Florida condo collapse deepens - CNN

Officials are promising an urgent inquiry as engineers have said it is impossible, at this stage, to pinpoint a precise reason. Local officials familiar with the Champlain Towers South condo complex, which is only four decades old, have repeatedly shot down rumors that it was in any unusual state of disrepair. But a new report surfaced overnight and an older study of the building and surrounding areas have begun to suggest warning signs were there to see.
An attorney for the building's condominium association, Kenneth Direktor, warned against early speculation. The building, he told CNN, had been subject to a series of inspections "over the last several months" as part of its milestone 40-year safety certification process.