NewStats: 3,259,347 , 8,169,865 topics. Date: Saturday, 24 May 2025 at 06:29 PM 2q4s1y

A massive rescue operation is underway after an apartment building close to Miami Beach collapsed in the early hours of this morning.

The ocean-front building, a twelve-story apartment complex called Champlain Towers South, has partially collapsed, fire rescue services have confirmed.

Neighbours say the building was mostly occupied but it is not known what caused the tower which was built in 1981 near 88th street and Collins Avenue in Surfside, Florida, to collapse.

There are fears that many people may be dead or remain trapped beneath the rubble at Champlain Towers South as a search-and-rescue operation by local authorities got underway.

One witness, who was staying in the south Florida island city with his family, was in a neighbouring building at the time and said the collapse sounded and felt like a tornado or earthquake, Fox News reported.

The witness claimed that much of the building was occupied at the time of the collapse, which he estimated to have occurred at around 1.20am.

He told the publication: 'It was the craziest thing I ever heard in my life.'

Shocking video footage showed a boy being pulled from the wreckage by firefighters as the huge search-and-rescue operation continued, according to NBC6.

A rescue operation is underway after an apartment building near 88th street and Collins Avenue in Miami Beach collapsed (pictured) in the early hours of this morning Witnesses claimed to have heard people screaming beneath the rubble

The building, a twelve-story apartment block called Champlain Towers South (pictured), collapsed in the early hours of this morning.

The building was completed in 1981 and apartments in the block, some of which have ocean views sell for up to $915,000

Video from the scene showed firefighters pulling a young boy from the rubble. Witnesses also reported hearing screams from beneath the collapsed building

Video from the scene showed firefighters pulling a young boy from the rubble. Witnesses also reported hearing screams from beneath the collapsed building

At least two people and a firefighter have been taken to hospital but officials have not yet confirmed any details about potential casualties, according to local media.

Pictures and videos from the scene suggest a full section of the tower collapsed, which left huge piles of debris lying at the corner of Collins Avenue as a huge search-and-rescue operation is underway.

Witnesses claimed to have heard people screaming beneath the rubble during frantic efforts to free them from the wreckage of the building.

One witness told NBC News correspondent Sam Brock: 'They are able to rescue some people but I heard some screams.'

Freelance journalist Joel Franco, who was on the scene, claimed that the fire department had managed to rescue some people from their balconies.

Witnesses claim to have heard people screaming beneath the rubble (pictured) during frantic efforts to free them from the wreckage of the building

Authorities have not yet provided any information on potential casualties as the situation is ongoing. Pictured: Rubble following the collapse

A view inside one of the apartments at Champlain Towers South

He tweeted: 'MDFR [Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department] now rescuing people from the balcony.'

Mr Franco said the rescue operation was a 'multi-agency effort' as he claimed to have seen units from Pompano Beach Fire, Miami Fire, Davie Fire and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue at the scene.

#MDFR is on scene of a partial building collapse near 88 Street & Collins Avenue. Over 80 MDFR units including #TRT are on scene with assistance from municipal fire departments. Updates will be provided on Twitter as they become available.

Due to the partial building collapse near 88 Street & Collins, southbound traffic is being diverted west on 96 Street. Northbound traffic is being diverted at 85 & Collins Avenue.

There are fears that many people may be dead or remain trapped beneath the rubble (pictured) at Champlain Towers South following the collapse

Shocking pictures and videos (above) show what appears to be huge piles of debris lying at the corner of Collins Avenue as fears

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue confirmed that more than 80 units (pictured), including Technical Rescue Teams, were on the scene

Authorities have not yet provided any information on potential casualties as the situation is ongoing.

MBPD and @MiamiBeachFire are assisting the Town of Surfside at a partial building collapse located at 8777 Collins Avenue in Surfside, Florida. Multiple police and fire agencies from across Miami-Dade are assisting. Please follow @MiamiDadeFire for updated information.

Champlain Towers South, which was built in 1981, is a modern apartment complex comprised of 136 residences spread across 12 floors, according to Miami Real Estate Trends.

Dailymail US

LATEST: At least 1 dead after high-rise condo building partially collapses near Miami Beach.

• 35 occupants pulled from building, per Miami-Dade fire rescue

• 10 assessed and treated

• 2 transported to hospitals

• Search-and-rescue efforts ongoing

NBC News

Jesus have mercy

You want to make FTC on a FP news? It's very easy here on Nairaland.

Make FTC on Biafran related topics,(hot cake)

Snakes..... snakes and more snakes..again, don't forget snake topics always make FP.

If non of the above two, any bad news is a good news to make FP.

Oya lalasticlala Owo mi da?

it is well.

probably caused by earth movement which might have resulted to displacement of the stable soil.

Some of these people were just rescued from the Surfside condo building that’s partially collapsed.

eyaaaa... sad...

Wow. That's a bummer.

Shithole America always trying to hide their failures from the world. The building totally collapse watch the idiots deceive Africans by calling it partially collapse. America is a smelling shithole, anyone applying for a visa to go there need to get their head checked

Third world shithole America your days are numbered. Your years of stealing the global south wealth and equity is about to catch up with you. Justice is coming for over 350 miliion Americans

timesup234:
Shithole America always trying to hide their failures from the world. The building totally collapse watch the idiots deceive Africans by calling it partially collapse. America is a smelling shithole, anyone applying for a visa to go there need to get their head checked

You are here again with you america bashing

from collapse bridge now to this. america is fading into oblivion

For now they are reporting only one person dead

CONDOLENCES

Thank you to those who have responded to the tragic building collapse in Surfside. These first responders saved lives. The state has emergency response personnel on site and will assist in any way it can.

A family reunification center is set up at 9301 Collins Avenue. If you have loved ones who are uned for or are safe, please call 305-614-1819 to for them.

Florida State Governor, Ronald Dion DeSantis

Ann and I are praying for everyone impacted by the terrible tragedy in Surfside and all of our brave first responders working search and rescue. I just spoke with @MiamiDadeFire Chief Alan Cominsky and @MDPD_Director to offer my and any resources they may need.

Ex-Governor & Florida Senator, Richard Lynn Scott

Horrible images emerging the partial collapse of a condo building in #Surfside #Florida last night.

@MiamiDadeFire has one of the best urban search and rescue teams in the world & they have been on the scene for hours searching for victims & survivors.

Florida Senator, Marco Antonio Rubio

Sending prayers for the rescue crews, first responders, residents, and all involved in this accident.

US Congresswoman FL-03, Rep. Kathryn C. "Kat" Cammack

My heart breaks for those killed or injured in this building collapse and I’m praying for the Surfside community. Thank you to all the brave first responders who have been working through the night to save lives.

US Congresswoman FL-07, Rep. Stephanie Murphy

My prayers are with the residents of Champlain Towers, their families, and the first responders at this tragic scene who are saving lives.

US Congressman FL-13, Rep. Charles Joseph Crist Jr.

yup, that and the washington DC bridge collapse. the empire is falling

What is with collapses of houses in US of recent?

What exactly is happening?

I hope they'll look in to it

Eeyaaah..

But if Yankee needs qualified and sophisticated civil engineers to build Sophisticated buildings, we have them here in naija..

They should bring on their contract & come over..

They’ll build it and it will never collapse in 600years..

Happening in the great America.

Oya unpatriotic Nigerians, time to use this to abuse your country again.

Dios Mio, hope they come out safe..
The only difference between Florida and an oven is that an oven doesn’t produce serial killers.

Damn it!!

And some of the apartments are worth almost half a BILLION Naira!!

This is a colossal loss mehn!
40 years old building is not too old, if the foundation is tight!

RIP to the dead!

aspabay:

Disasters happen everywhere, what the nations needs at such times is solidarity, not insult and abuse when it happens in Nigeria.

Words of a sensible man.

It is always good to see we still have reasonable and sensible like you on this forum.
God bless you.

Well according to Grgton, this will be rebuilt in the next few weeks, na America na.

Disasters happen everywhere, what the nations needs at such times is solidarity, not insult and abuse when it happens in Nigeria.

Tragic
I just pray that the number of casualties will be low.

So sad.

Didn't they notice the failing structure before now?

aspabay:
Happeningi in the great America.

Oya unpatriotic Nigerians, tie to use this to abuse your nations again.

Things like this could happen anywhere in the world.
May God continue to protect each and everyone of us.

That is the koko!!

The rich also cry.

righteousness89... Shey this one too na sure fire sign of end times

I blame President Buhari,
The Nepotic Nigeria president who blocked all borders in the Southern part of Nigeria and left the Northern borders connecting Niger and chad open.

Na wa oo

aspabay:
Happeningi in the great America.

Oya unpatriotic Nigerians, tie to use this to abuse your nations again.

This happened in the "infallible" US, watch how shildren of 8, anger, perdition and frustration start insulting Nigeria over it because of Buhari.

So sad

Have you ever been denied a US visa ? Why so bitter?

FYI, America is not a shithole by any standard, it has never been and it will never be.

This is an accident that can happen anywhere, can't you appreciate the response team and time frame it took them to arrive .

Did you notice what happened at OPIC plaza ikeja where it took 3 hrs to rescue fire victims, all you could see were people taking pictures and selfies with traumatized individuals

If you ever have the privilege to hold a US port, you will understand why we always say "God bless America"

timesup234:
Shithole America always trying to hide their failures from the world. The building totally collapse watch the idiots deceive Africans by calling it partially collapse. America is a smelling shithole, anyone applying for a visa to go there need to get their head checked