Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami issued the following statement regarding the partial collapse of the Surfside condominium on June 24, 2021:
“We all woke up this morning learning about the tragic news of the partial collapse of a 12-story condominium in Surfside. Search and rescue teams continue to sift through the rubble to find survivors and to recover the bodies of those who did not. Our hearts go out to all those affected by the tragedy.
“Our Catholic Charities and local clergy have joined with other voluntary agencies and faith leaders to assist in whatever way they can.
“We also pledge our prayers for the victims, their families, and first responders.
“May the Lord give them strength.”
Mass was offered at St. Joseph Catholic Church, located at 8670 Byron Avenue, Miami Beach, on Friday, June 25, 2021, for all those affected by the collapse of the Surfside condominium. St. Joseph’s is geographically the church for Catholics who live in the Surfside condominium.
The 12-story building near Miami collapsed in the early morning hours of June 24, 2021. Ongoing rescue efforts continue, with four confirmed dead and estimates of more than 150 residents of the building unaccounted for.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said Friday morning that the number of people who are unaccounted for in Thursday’s building collapse increased to 159 — dramatically higher than the 99 reported earlier, according to the Miami Herald. She said 120 people are now accounted for but stressed that all the numbers are “fluid” because some residents may not have been in the building when it collapsed.
It’s still not known what caused the 40-year-old building to collapse, but officials said the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, was undergoing roof construction and other repairs.
US President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration for Florida, which means that state agencies will receive help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the relief effort.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who toured the scene Thursday afternoon, later signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency for Miami-Dade County to hasten access to federal disaster assistance.
