The search and rescue mission at the site of the Surfside condo collapse has been suspended, as preparations begin for the imminent demolition of the rest of the building ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Elsa, AP reports.
The latest: Family members were told that the search stopped at about 4 p.m., according to Miami-Dade Assistant Fire Chief Raide Jadallah. So far, 24 people have been killed and 124 remain unaccounted for, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said earlier on Saturday, according to AP.
- Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett said the remainder of the building could be taken down "as early as" Sunday, CNN reports.
- Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) urged the building be demolished before Elsa might make landfall, which is projected in Florida by Monday.
- "We have a building here in Surfside that is tottering, it is structurally unsound," DeSantis said, per AP. “If the building is taken down this will protect our search and rescue teams.”
- Levine Cava also said Saturday that rescuers are looking for victims' pets in the rubble and as of now, no pets have been found, AP reports.
- "I very much understand that pets are part of people’s families,” Levine Cava said. "My heart goes out to those who fear for their animals, and I just want you to know that additional efforts have been made and are being made."
What they're saying: "The fear was that the hurricane may take down the building for us, and take it down in the wrong direction, on top of the pile where we have victims," Burkett said, per CNN....