The death toll from the collapse of a Miami-area condo building in Florida has risen to 79 after 14 bodies were recovered from the rubble, authorities said Friday. Miami- Dade county mayor Danielle Levine Cava said, “It is a staggering and heartbreaking number that affects all of us very, very deeply,” as recovery workers toiled for a 16th day to find victims in the rubble. 

The Champlain Towers South, a 12- storey building in Surfside in the town north of Miami Beach came tumbling down on June 24, as dozens of residents slept inside. No survivors have been found since the day of the collapse. Out of 79 victims, 53 have been identified and another 61 people remain unaccounted for.

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On Wednesday, authorities announced that they had decided to transition from a search and rescue mission for potential survivors to an operation to recover remains.

The mayor of the town of 6,000 residents, Charles Burkett, hailed the “really incredible” progress of the search and rescue teams, who have been working around the clock at the site of the tragedy. Burkett said the rubble from the building was around four stories high after the collapse but is now almost at ground level.

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Miami-Dade Fire Chief Alan Cominsky said victims had been found “all throughout the rubble pile.” and taking care of the mental health and well-being of the first responders is a priority.

He added that recovery efforts have been concentrated on areas where stairwells would have collapsed as people could have been trapped in stairwells trying to escape. Multiple investigations are underway to determine the cause of the collapse.

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A 2018 report released by city officials revealed fears of “major structural damage” in the complex, from the concrete slab under the pool deck to columns and beams in the parking garage.

In a letter to residents in April, Jean Wodnicki, chair of the condo association, described “accelerating” damage to the 40-year-old building since then and repairs had been set to begin soon.

Local authorities ordered safety reviews of nearby buildings following the disaster, including Champlain Towers North, the sister tower of the condo block that fell down.