By: Alyssa Wilson

More than one month after the partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, all of the victims have been recovered. 

According to Mami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, 98 people died as a result of the collapse, including multiple children.  

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“Today, I can report that because of the sustained heroic efforts, the last remaining missing person has now been accounted for, and identified and the family notified. Ninety-eight victims have now been identified, including ninety-seven victims who were recovered from the collapse and one person who passed away in the hospital,” Cava said Monday in a press conference.  

Although all victims were identified, recovery crews remain at the collapse site to ensure “all identifiable human remains are recovered.” “Nothing we can say or do will bring back these 98 angels,” Cava said, citing her department did everything they could to bring closure to families searching for loved ones.  

In the press conference, she thanked Miami-Dade first responders and national and international rescue teams that traveled to assist in the efforts. Crews are now searching through millions of pounds of debris to search for any additional human remains and personal items.  

On June 24 at approximately 1:30 a.m., the residential building located at 8777 Collins Avenue partially collapsed. The 136-unit building was built in 1981 and was undergoing construction on the roof at the time of the collapse. Days later, on July 5, the other side of the building was demolished to help rescue crews operate safely. By July 7, search and rescue efforts ended and a recovery operation began.  

A report released in 2018 revealed concerns about the building. Nearly three years before the collapse, an engineer raised concerns about damage to the building’s structure, CNN reported. The report said, “Abundant cracking and spalling of various degrees was observed in the concrete columns, beams and walls.” 

Multiple lawsuits against the condo association responsible for the building are pending. They will be separated into two groups, one for those who lost their possessions and those who lost family members, NBC Miami reported.  

If you or someone you know is struggling from trauma triggered by this story, resources are available here.