Major rescue operation begins after Miami home collapsed | US & Canada News

The seafront section of the coastline collapsed in downtown Miami in Surfside early Thursday, arresting people with garbage and curves and sending garbage across the area.

Many rescuers rushed to the house that collapsed slightly and firefighters were seen dragging survivors from the concrete slum.

In a tweet, Miami-Dade police say one person died in the crash.

Santo Mejil, 50, told the Miami Herald that his wife was calling him from the house, while he was working to help the elderly woman.

“He said he heard a loud explosion. It was just like an earthquake,” Mejil told the newspaper. He later said he phoned her and said paramedics were dropping her off.

Authorities knew nothing about the deaths or the number of occupants.

The Miami Dade Fire Rescue was engaged in search and rescue operations, and said in a tweet more than 80 units were “in a visible area with support from the district fire department.”

“We are here so it is still very active,” said Sargent Marian Cruz of the Surfside Police Department. “All I can tell you is that the house is on the 12th floor. The back of the house collapsed. ”

Reconstruction is underway

Victor Cohen, who lives nearby, told WPLG television that the house was remodeled when the front wing “fell like a love potion”.

Rescue crews marched through the ruins, picking up survivors and taking them home.

The fall left several units on the fixed side of the building. Video footage showed beds, tables and chairs left inside the dilapidated buildings. Air-conditioning units had been hung in some parts of the building, while wires had been hung.

Police closed nearby roads, and several rescue vehicles, ambulances, and police vehicles filled the area.

The fallen debris was covered with cars until two blocks away from the smooth dust.

Photos and videos from there show that the collapse has affected half of the tower. Trash and debris surrounded the area outside the house. The department has not yet said what would cause the collapse.

The expansion of the beachfront cottage was built in 1981 on the southeast corner of Surfside, on the coast. It had groups of two rooms on the market, asking for prices of $ 600,000 to $ 700,000.

The place is a mix of old and old homes, apartments, bedrooms and hotels, and restaurants and shopping spaces that include citizens and visitors. The area offers great diversity with a busy South Beach area that feels a bit tricky.