Officials: Search and rescue efforts paused due to concerns over possible second collapse

July 1, 2021 carleyshaffer1 US 0

US President Joe Biden greets first responders to the collapse of the 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, during a meeting with them in Miami Beach, Florida, July 1, 2021. - President Joe Biden flew to Florida on Thursday to "comfort" families of people killed or still missing in the rubble of a beachfront apartment building, where hopes of finding survivors had all but evaporated. Biden and First Lady Jill Biden left the White House early for the flight to Miami, and then traveled by motorcade to nearby Surfside, where the death toll in the tragedy now stands at 18, and more than 140 still unaccounted for. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

Joe Biden greets first responders to the collapse of the 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, during a meeting with them in Miami Beach, Florida, July 1, 2021. (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 1:05 PM PT – Thursday, July 1, 2021

Search and rescue efforts at the Surfside condominium collapse have been halted for the time being. Officials Thursday morning cited concerns the rest of the building could collapse, saying they’re doing everything to ensure the safety of their first responders.

Efforts are expected to begin again as soon as it’s safe to do so. So far 18 people have been confirmed dead with 145 still unaccounted for.

Thank you @MDFRChief for your team’s ongoing rescue efforts at Surfside. The Miami-Dade search and rescue teams are the best in the world and are working hard to find survivors – their dedication is commendable. pic.twitter.com/75TqzibbRb

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) June 29, 2021

In a visit to Surfside on Thursday, Joe Biden promised to continue to provide federal support to the recovery efforts. He said he believes the federal government has the power to pick up all the costs of the search and cleanup.

Meanwhile, according to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) a tropical cyclone moving through the Caribbean will not hit Florida heading into the weekend, but could be near the state by early next week.