The collapse of a condominium has killed at least 6 people and left more than 150 people missing.

On June 25 2021, Champlain Towers South, a 12 story condominium building in Miami, Florida partially collapsed to rumble at approximately 1:30am. Residents in the part of the building that remained intact reported being awakened by a boom louder than thunder, followed by a second boom that left the building shaking.

Champlain Towers South Condo built in 1981 was 12 stories high and had 136 units. Fire official said that about 55 units at the north east corridor had collapsed. According to CNN, the building contained units with one to three bedrooms that ranged in price from $295,000 to $980,000 while a four bedroom penthouse in the apartment was sold for nearly $2.9m.

Although, there is no official cause of the partial building collapse, a study published in 2020 found that the building was sinking as early as the 1990s. Also, the building was undergoing electrical and structural inspections for a certification process that happens every 40 years, which typically takes a year to complete. According to Surfside mayor Charles Burkett, roof repairs were being performed on the building.

Likewise in 2018, an inspection performed by an engineering firm, Morabito Consultants showed a “major error” in the construction of the pool deck, whereby the waterproofing was not sloped and that water collected on the waterproofing until it could evaporate. Over the years, the concrete slabs below the pool deck had been severely damaged by the collected water. The report noted the waterproofing below the pool deck was beyond its useful life and must all be completely removed and replaced.

Many people from countries in Latin America, including Colombia, Chile and Cuba, have been reported missing as well as those from the area’s Jewish community. A hardship fund supporting those affected and their families has been established by multiple Miami community organizations.

As of June 27, 2021, nine people are known to have died during the collapse, and eleven more have been injured. Eight victims have been publicly identified, including two Venezuelan nationals. As many as 150 people are still unaccounted for.

At least 29 people from South America who resided in or were believed to be in the building at the time of the collapse are among the missing. Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Relations has stated that the First Lady Silvana López Moreira’s sister, her sister’s husband, and their three children were missing as well as another of its citizen. A first cousin of Chilean Air Force General, Alberto Bachelet is believed to be missing, according to his daughter. The other missing people were identified as nine citizens from Argentina, four from Venezuela, six from Colombia and three from Uruguay.

Furthermore, Israel’s consul general in Miami on June 25, said that he believed 20 Israeli citizens are among the missing. On June 27, Global Affairs Canada announced that, based on “preliminary reports”, four Canadians from three different families were believed to be among the missing, having previously said only that four Canadians “may be affected”, citing privacy laws.

Presently, officials are in the midst of recovery efforts and are still investigating the cause of the collapse.