Miami Building Collapse: Rescuers Search Rubble For Survivors

A huge rescue operation is under way in Miami-Dade County, Florida, after a 12-storey residential building partially collapsed, killing at least one person.

Rescuers are combing through the rubble, searching for survivors, and were seen pulling a boy out alive.

Images from Surfside, north of Miami Beach, show a pile of debris on one side of the building.

One person died, at least eight people were injured and there are fears that others are trapped, US media report.

The collapse is said to have occurred at around 02:00 (06:00 GMT).

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said they had sent 80 vehicles to the scene. Police are also assisting with the rescue operation.

The death of a woman was reported by an Associated Press reporter, quoting their own sources. Florida news site Local 10 also reported a death, quoting fire rescue officials.

Surfside runs along Collins Avenue, north of Miami Beach city limits.

"She said she heard a big explosion," Mr Mejil told the Miami Herald. "It felt like an earthquake." His wife was among those rescued. 

A man who lives in a neighbouring building described what happened for CBS: "The building shook and then I looked out the window and you couldn't see, I thought it was like a storm or something coming in.

"When the dust cleared, the back two-thirds of the building was gone, it was down to the ground."





Source: BBC
Image Source: Getty Images