Remains of one Canadian found in building collapse in Florida
The remains of a Canadian citizen have been found at the site of the collapsed condo building in Miami-Dade county, Global Affairs Canada confirmed Tuesday.
As Tropical Storm Elsa lashes through Florida, search and rescue efforts continue at the Champlain Towers condo building that collapsed in June. So far, 28 people were found dead while another 117 people remain unaccounted for.
According to Global Affairs Canada, at least three other Canadian citizens remain unaccounted for." Global Affairs Canada can't disclose further information on the victims, citing privacy reasons.
Canada sends its deepest condolences to the family and friends who lost a loved one in the building collapse in Surfside, Florida," said Grantly Franklin, a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada.
Canadian consular officials in Miami, Fla. are providing support for both the family of the deceased and the families of the three missing Canadians. They are also working with local authorities to get more information on the accident.
The city of North Miami Beach ordered the evacuation of Crestview Towers Friday after a review found unsafe conditions about 8 kilometers from the site of last week's deadly collapse in South Florida.
An audit prompted by the collapse of Champlain Towers South in nearby Surfside found that the 156-unit Crestview Towers had been deemed structurally and electrically unsafe in January, the city said in a news release. Officials did not immediately release details about the structural problems that prompted the evacuation, but the building had reported millions of dollars in damage from 2017's Hurricane Irma.
Canadians in Florida that need emergency consular assistance should contact the Consulate General of Canada in Miami, United States at 1-844-880-6519 or sos@international.gc.ca. They may also contact Global Affairs Canada's Emergency Watch and Response Centre by calling 1-888-949-9993 (toll-free from the U.S.), +1 613 996 8885 (call collect where available), by text message at +1 613-686-3658 or by sending an email to sos@international.gc.ca.
With files from Associated Press
Celina Gallardo is a Toronto-based staff reporter for the Star. Reach her via email: cgallardo@thestar.ca