After the partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South residential complex in the US state of Florida, the remains were blown up for safety reasons. The instability of the ruin is dangerous and hinders the progress of the rescue operation in the already collapsed part, said the mayor of Miami-Dade County, Daniella Levine Cava, before the demolition. The part of the building that was still standing was blown up in such a way that it collapsed on the spot. After that, a search should be made relatively promptly in sections of the accident site in which it was previously too dangerous for the helpers.
The complex with around 130 residential units in Surfside near Miami had partially collapsed on June 24 for reasons that were still unexplained. Since then, detection dogs, special cameras and heavy equipment had been used to search for victims around the clock.
After the accident, the residents of the part of the building that was still standing were not allowed to go back to their apartments for safety reasons – not even to take out personal belongings before the blast. The number of victims of the partial collapse has now risen to at least 24 deaths. More than 120 people are still missing, although it is unclear how many of them were actually in the building near the beach in Surfside near Miami at the time of the accident.
Tropical storm Elsa on the way towards Florida
The demolition was brought forward out of concern for the stability of the ruin due to a tropical storm. Extensions of storm Elsa are expected in southern Florida, with strong gusts of wind and heavy rain announced. Again Miami Herald reported, the emergency services called on the residents of the other buildings to go inside and to keep windows and doors closed. The residents were also prompted to do so via an alarm on their smartphones.
It is still unclear why the twelve-story, 40-year-old building partially collapsed. In 2018, an engineering report in the run-up to a recertification of the building security found structural deficiencies in the complex with 136 units. In April, the president of the homeowners association warned residents in a letter that the serious damage around the base of the building had become “significantly worse”. US President Joe Biden promised a thorough investigation into the incident on a site visit. This should also ensure that such a disaster does not repeat itself.