Miami Beach building evacuated after structure deemed unsafe

Florida authorities on Friday directed an evacuation of a residential complex in the North Miami Beach area after it was deemed unsafe by building officials.

The decision was made after a report for recertification of the Crestview Towers said that it was “structurally and electrically unsafe”, reported NBC News citing a statement from the North Miami Beach officials.

The report was disclosed to the North Miami Beach Building and Zoning Department from the managerial authorities of the 156-unit complex after its structural integrity was being probed.

Several such individual investigations have been triggered in the area after the Champlain Towers in the Surfside area collapsed on June 24.

Arthur H. Sorey, the City Manager said in a statement, “Nothing is more important than the safety and lives of our residents, and we will not rest until we ensure this building is 100% safe” while citing the structural issues of the building that was constructed in 1972, reported NBC News.

The evacuation process of the decades-old building is being monitored by the police officers present at the scene. North Miami Beach captain said in an email, “The police department is making every effort to ensure the residents in those buildings are evacuated safely efficiently”, reported NBC News.

As the search and rescue operations continue at the site of the building collapse in Miami-Dade County, the death toll from the incident has been on a steady rise. On Friday, the remains of two more victims were pulled out from the rubble, pushing the count to 22. 

126 people still remain unaccounted for.

US President Joe Biden visited the site on Thursday, along with First Lady Jill Biden. Biden announced that the victims of the Florida building collapse and their family members will be receiving assistance from the authorities in terms of expediting visas of family members of those affected and providing housing assistance.