The remaining side of the Surfside condo building that collapsed more than a week ago has been demolished.
According to CNN, the remaining portion of the Champlain Towers South building was demolished approximately 10:30 p.m local time on Sunday using strategically placed explosives and relies on gravity to bring the building down in place.
This after search and rescue efforts at the partially collapsed tower was halted on Thursday after rescuers say they heard noises that sparked fears that the remaining building was moving and could crumble. Officials were also worried about the impact Tropical Storm Elsa–which is heading toward South Florida with heavy rain and sustained winds of 60 mph—would have on the remaining structure.
Search and rescue efforts will resume once the area is considered secure after the demolition on Sunday.
“As soon as the building is down and once the site is deemed secure, we will have our first responders back on the pile to immediately resume their work,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said.
Nearby residents were warned to stay indoors ahead of the demolition, as a precautionary measure.
“Dust is an unpreventable byproduct of all types of demolition,” the Miami-Dade police wrote on Twitter. “As a precautionary measure, we recommend you close all windows, doors and air intakes, cover any other openings that might allow dust to enter your apartment, house or building, and turn your A/C on re-circulate.”
The 12-story condo building collapsed in the middle of the night on June 24, leaving at least 24 people dead and 121 still unaccounted for.
