Rescue teams withstand wind, lightning and heat on 12-hour shifts to search for the victims of the Florida building collapse
CNN
Through long hours, severe weather, looming danger and even loss within their own community, first responders have continually returned to the site of a Florida building collapse.
There were about 200 search and rescue personnel at the scene Tuesday evening. Nearly two weeks after the overnight collapse of the Champlain Towers South condo building -- creating a pile of up to 16 feet of concrete -- crews there only used heavy machinery when they were sure it was safe. Every piece of debris was methodically analyzed. Rescue efforts have had only brief interruptions -- pausing for the demolition of the remaining structure and for two hours for lightning, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told reporters Tuesday. Otherwise, Florida Fire Marshall and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said Thursday that "operations never stop on site."More Related News