WINK News reports that one person was killed, and at least nine others are injured after a high-rise residential building collapsed in Surfside early on the morning of Thursday, June 24, 2021.
More than 80 fire and rescue companies from across Miami-Dade were dispatched to the scene to try to locate and rescue survivors at Champlain Towers South, located at 8901 Collins Avenue in Surfside.
Following the building collapse, Florida Power and Light cut power to at least 400 residents in the area as a precaution.
One eyewitness who was staying at a nearby hotel told members of the press that they felt the ground shake but thought it was a storm. Another eyewitness who was walking his dog at the time of the collapse said it sounded like the rumble from a classic motorcycle. Turning around, he saw a large cloud of dust rising from the area surrounding the Champlain Towers building.
Authorities say that well after the building’s partial collapse, the foundation for the remaining portion was still shaking. It is unknown how many people may have been in the building at the time. Some of the units are used seasonally, while others are occupied year-round.
Search and rescue dogs have been sent to the area. There have been no hits from the dogs so far, however.
At this time, authorities are uncertain what might have caused the building to collapse.