Search resumes at site of Florida building collapse

The search and rescue operation at the site of the deadly collapsed Florida condo building have resumed in parts of the rubble after safety concerns shut the work down early in the day.

“We will continue to search feverishly as we have done all along in the parts of the collapse that we currently have access to.” Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said at a press briefing Thursday evening.

“Given our ongoing safety concerns about the integrity of the building, we’re continuing to restrict access to the collapse zone,” Cava said.

Cava said work on the pile resumed at 4:45 p.m.

Officials said at an earlier morning press conference Thursday that shifting debris and concerns over the stability of a portion of the building took rescue workers off the pile of rubble at Champlain Towers South in Surfside.

But Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said on Twitter around 6 p.m. that the work had now resumed after a pause all afternoon.

“Search & rescue efforts have resumed following a temporary halt of operations after the recommendation of structural engineers who inspected the remaining structure,” the post said. “Finding missing loved ones continues to be at the forefront of our operations.”

Officials said 18 people have been confirmed dead, including two young sisters, aged 4 and 10, and another 145 people remain unaccounted for following the June 24 collapse.

Cava said Thursday that the number remains unchanged, but said that 17 of the dead have been identified and their families were notified. 

At the morning briefing, Miami-Dade Fire Chief Alan Cominsky said the work was halted due to concerns about “six to 12 inches of movement and a large column hanging from the structure that could fall and cause damage.”

Officials said earlier that the portion of the building still standing — and which caused the safety concerns — may be demolished.