Photo: CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images; Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
PresidentJoe Bidenpledged federal assistance and offered condolences to the families of victims, three days after thepartial collapse of a 12-story residential buildingin Florida, an incident he called “heartbreaking” and “catastrophic.”
“What I heard from Administrator Criswell was excruciating: she reiterated that words can’t describe the scene on the ground and she gave me an update on meetings she had with state and local officials to ensure they have everything they need,” the president, 78, said in the statement.Biden continued: “This is an unimaginably difficult time for the families enduring this tragedy. For those who are waiting in anguish for word of their loved ones as search and rescue efforts continue in the aftermath of this catastrophic incident, the pain of the uncertainty is an added, heartbreaking burden. My heart goes out to every single person suffering during this awful moment.”
On Sunday, officials confirmed the death toll from the disasterhad risen to nine, with more than 150 people still unaccounted for.
In a press conference last Friday, Florida Gov.Ron DeSantisacknowledged that the collapse was “a unique type of tragedy to have,” as it occurred in the middle of the night, while many people were sleeping.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel search for survivors.Joe Raedle/Getty Images
On Friday, DeSantis spoke with the president, who approved an emergency declaration for Miami-Dade County that same day.
According to the White House, the emergency declaration authorizes FEMA to coordinate disaster relief efforts at the site and to provide temporary shelter and housing for those who have been displaced.
Listen below toour daily podcast PEOPLE Every Dayfor more on the Surfside, Florida condo collapse.
Speaking to reporters last Friday, Biden said the federal government had “sent the best peoplefrom FEMA down there.”
“We’re going to stay with them with the disaster declaration we made, provide for everything from housing to, God forbid, whether there’s a need for a [mortuary] for the bodies to be placed and everything in-between,” Biden added.
Two FEMA-supported search and rescue teams are involved in the response to the incident, the White House said in a statement, and the agency has also sent “building science experts, search and rescue technical experts, and a mobile command center.”
Surfside condo collapse.Joe Raedle/Getty
No survivors have been discovered at the site of collapse since Thursday, when 54-year-old Stacie Fang and her 15-year-old son Jonah Handler were pulled from the wreckage alive. Fang was taken to Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, but later died, theMiami Heraldreported.
Miami-Dade County Fire Chief Alan Cominsky said in a press conference Sunday that rescuers are stillhoping to find survivorsamong the crevices of the concrete and metal.
“Our rescue teams are non-stop, doing all that we can, searching every area, every bit of hope to see if we can find a live victim,” Cominsky said. “We have heavier equipment we brought in, larger cranes. This is an evolving process. Our searches will be modified throughout and we’ll continue our process throughout the operation.”
source: people.com
