Desperate search for survivors continues after deadly Surfside building collapse, Biden approves emergency declaration
By Rosa Sanchez & Cecilia Vega
SURFSIDE, F.L. (ABC News) – As the investigation into the residential building that collapsed in Surfside, Florida, continues, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told ABC News Friday that three more bodies have been pulled from the rubble, bringing the death toll to four.
The three people were found Thursday night and have not yet been identified, the mayor said.
As of Friday morning, at least 159 people remain unaccounted for, but Cava said there is still hope.
President Joe Biden approved a Florida emergency declaration early Friday after the residential building in Miami-Dade County partially collapsed, trapping dozens under mounds of rubble.
A White House statement released at around 1 a.m. ET confirmed the president authorized the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) “to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures…”
FEMA was authorized to identify, mobilize and provide equipment and resources to alleviate the impacts of the emergency, the statement read. That includes “debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance.”
Cava said she is “so grateful to the president” for his efforts to help Surfside as they try to understand and get through this tragedy. “He called me yesterday morning, asked me what I needed. I told him FEMA would be a great, great assist to us, and he moved mountains,” the mayor said.
NEW: Pres. Biden approves Florida emergency declaration after deadly building collapse, authorizing DHS and FEMA "to coordinate all disaster relief efforts." https://t.co/PEh5XXbL6j pic.twitter.com/Vy8KYxuPZW
— ABC News (@ABC) June 25, 2021
Friday morning, authorities — with the help of structural engineers on the scene — are still trying to understand the cause of the collapse, and rescue efforts remain in effect. Cava said there is no evidence to indicate that the collapse was a result of foul play.
