Search Resumes in Florida After Remainder of Condo Is Demolished

Three more bodies were found at the site of a collapsed condominium building in Surfside, Florida, on Monday, after rescue crews resumed their search following the demolition of the remainder of the building, officials said, bringing the death toll to 27.

The search effort had been halted for much of the weekend amid growing worries about the building’s stability, particularly with the approach of a tropical storm. The still-standing portion of Champlain Towers South was leveled in a controlled explosion at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday, as anguished families continued to await news of the more than 100 people missing since the building collapsed 11 days ago.

At a news briefing Monday morning, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said the demolition was “executed exactly as planned” and left officials optimistic about safely sifting through the rubble.

“There is hope that there are voids that will allow us to continue the search and rescue operation,” Levine Cava said.

Rescue teams have begun searching through areas closest to where the remaining building structure had stood, which were not previously accessible. Search teams can now also use heavy equipment to remove debris.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said that concerns about the remaining part of the building left few options but demolition. Residents of the building who survived fled with whatever they had with them and had not been permitted to enter the teetering structure. Passports, wedding rings, cherished photos were left behind.

“At the end of the day, that building is too unsafe to let people go back in,” DeSantis said. “I know there’s a lot of people who were able to get out, fortunately, who have things there. We’re very sensitive to that. But I don’t think that there’s any way you could let someone go back up into that building given the shape that it’s in now.”

DeSantis said that while Surfside was not expected to see the worst of the approaching Tropical Storm Elsa, the town could still experience strong winds and heavy rain.