This archive report was first published on 5 July 2021.
On Sunday, July 4, 2021, the remaining part of the Champlain Towers South condominium building in Surfside, Florida, was demolished in a controlled explosion. The demolition came after officials warned residents to stay inside due to concerns about dust and other particles in the air.
The building had collapsed on June 24, 2021, resulting in the deaths of 24 people, with 121 still missing. The demolition was necessary to restart rescue efforts, which had been halted for much of the weekend due to growing worries about the building's stability.
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava of Miami-Dade County said, 'Our top priority is bringing down this building.' She added that once the building was demolished, search and rescue teams would immediately resume their operations.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that concerns about the remaining part of the building left few options but demolition. He noted that many residents who survived the collapse had fled the portion that remained standing and had not been permitted to enter the teetering structure since.
As Tropical Storm Elsa approached Florida, officials hoped the brunt of the storm would spare Surfside. However, they cautioned residents closer to the storm's predicted path to prepare for heavy rain and possible power outages.
