Rescuer workers in the southern U.S. state of Florida used heavy equipment Friday to search for survivors in the rubble of a collapsed apartment building after officials said four people were confirmed dead and 159 people remain missing.
The rescuers in the Miami suburb of Surfside used cranes as well as their own hands to dig through the debris while battling intermittent rainstorms.
Officials from the city of Miami and surrounding Dade County held a news briefing earlier Friday at the scene of the incident, just north of Miami. Roughly a quarter of the building that contained about 55 apartments collapsed about 1:30 a.m. local time Thursday.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told reporters rescue officials were still searching for survivors, along with additional victims in the collapsed portion of the building. She said 129 people have been confirmed safe, adding that the numbers are very fluid.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Raide Jadallah said the entire building has been cleared and checked so rescue operations can focus on the rubble. He said operations took place throughout the night Thursday into Friday, both from above and below, by tunneling beneath the rubble from the building's basement. He said 130 firefighters are working at the site.
Miami-Dade Police Director Freddy Ramirez said his office is working with the local medical examiner's office to identify the four victims.
The cause of the collapse of the building section is still unknown. But The Washington Post, citing a study conducted last year, reported the building was constructed on reclaimed wetlands on the barrier island that makes up the Miami Beach area and has been gradually sinking since the 1990s.
It is unclear if those factors contributed to the incident.
U.S. President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration for the site, which will allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate relief efforts and supply additional funds.
The president spoke Friday with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and said his administration stands ready to provide additional resources if needed.
Information from The Associated Press and the Reuters news service contributed to this report.
