SURFSIDE, United States — Staring into space or sobbing, family members of
those missing in the Florida apartment building collapse waited in anguish for
news of loved ones, while others scrambled for a place to live after their home
was destroyed.
اضافة اعلان
The disaster in Surfside, near Miami Beach, left one person dead and 99
unaccounted for after the collapse early Thursday, with fears the toll may rise
much higher.
"Everything is gone," said Erick de Moura, 40, who was at the
town's community center trying to find temporary accommodation.
The Brazilian had lived for three years on the 10th floor of the oceanfront
Champlain Towers South, part of which pancaked in the middle of the night for
reasons yet unknown.
He survived because he had decided to stay at his girlfriend's house last
night.
"I am homeless now. I lost my papers, documents, everything. My green
card, my money," de Moura said.
"I just came back and the scene is shocking," he added. "There
is a lot of pain. I'm blessed that I am alive."
As for his neighbors, "I think they're gone."
These residents had had the best view, overlooking the beach and ocean,
until their part of the tower collapsed like a house of cards in the night.
Firefighters, police and search dogs spent the day trying to locate
survivors in the rubble. A crane cleared away pieces of debris, while a
helicopter patrolled from above.
The rest of the 12-story building was still standing, but all residents were
evacuated and several surrounding streets cordoned off.
The survivors and families of those missing gathered a few blocks away at
the community center, where volunteers were providing water, coffee, lunches,
and clothes, as well as emotional support.
Displaced residents were trying to figure out where they can now live,
whether it's with relatives or in hotels which have offered rooms. Others
waited grimly for news of their loved ones.
People come and go. Some are seated and motionless, while others are
sobbing.
More than a thousand people have passed through the community center, said
Ron Ben Hayoun, a 22-year-old volunteer and north Miami resident who had
returned to his childhood neighborhood to help.
In this city with a large Jewish community, "we try to help everyone, we
are not exclusive."
"It's pretty shocking. people are very emotional," said the young
man, who had recently returned from Israel.
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