At the site of the collapsed Surfside condo search crews have become more concerned for their safety over the past few days. The portion of the still-standing building was structurally unstable and could have jeopardized rescue efforts.
Matters are made even worse by the impending approach of Tropical Storm Elsa which is heading straight for Florida after pounding the Caribbean for a few days. Surfside may not get the worst of the storm they’re still expected to see some high winds and lots of rain.
So officials ordered the building to be razed to the ground in hopes that it will give search crews better access to other parts of the site. The state hired BG Group, a general contracting outfit, to do the job for a whopping $935,000.
Demolition crews placed explosives within the basement and lobby levels of the remaining structure with a blast the building fell to the ground.
#BREAKING:Remainder of Champlain Tower South building has been demolished. pic.twitter.com/jvom1ctBkA
— WSVN 7 News (@wsvn) July 5, 2021
County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said search efforts will proceed in hopes of recovering any remaining survivors despite the odds of anyone still being alive after more than a week.
Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett promised that rescue efforts will not end until every body is accounted for.