As the death toll from apartment collapses rises, Biden heads to Florida Joe Biden News

The death toll has risen to 18, and 145 people are still missing, worried about being trapped in the rubble a week after the collapse of the high-rise building.

U.S. President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden will head to Surfside, Florida Apartment collapsed, As the number of casualties rose, condolences to the families of the victims and missing persons.

Biden’s personal tragedy has always been a sign of his political career. He will replay the role of “commander-in-chief” on Thursday, while the rescue team will continue to look for victims among the rubble of the collapsed high-rise building. A week ago, when residents were sleeping.

Daniella Levine Cava in Miami-Dade County said the death toll confirmed on Wednesday rose to 18, and six other bodies were found in the ruins of the Champlain Tannan apartment, including two. Remains of 4 and 10 year old children. Another 145 people are missing, fearing being trapped in the rubble.

Since the disaster in the coastal town of Surfside near Miami Beach, no one has been rescued from piles of powdery concrete, shredded wood and twisted metal.

The authorities are hopeful that more survivors may be found, but the prospects for further rescues are getting bleak.

Thursday’s visit was Biden’s second visit to the disaster site since he took office.

In February, he went to Texas after a period of time. Powerful winter storm It caused severe damage to houses and businesses, cut off electricity or water for millions of people for several days, and killed at least 24 people.

Biden postponed his visit to Florida to avoid interrupting rescue efforts. He has issued an emergency statement and provided federal assistance to state and local officials to help deal with the collapse.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have deployed teams to assist in search and rescue, incident management, and debris removal.

FEMA also coordinated with state and local officials to open family assistance centers and provide communications support.

Democrat Biden may appear next to Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis (Ron DeSantis), who is seen as a potential top candidate to challenge Biden’s re-election three years later. DeSantis took power in Florida politics and built a sharp partisan brand, often challenging Biden on issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and immigration.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that Biden plans to use the visit to express his gratitude to the “heroic first responders, search and rescue teams, and everyone who works day and night.”

Psaki added that the president and first lady will also “meet with families who are forced to endure this terrible tragedy”.

Biden’s talent for linking his own suffering with the grief and pain of others has become a defining characteristic of his character. In his public life, he endured the deaths of his first wife, a daughter, and a son.

The governor and the president spoke on the phone last week, and DeSantis praised Biden for his support after the conversation.

investigator it’s not finished yet What caused nearly half of this 40-year-old apartment building to collapse in one of the deadliest building collapses in American history.

However, a 2018 report prepared by the engineering company Morabito Consultants before the building safety recertification process found that the 12-story, 136-unit complex had structural defects, which are now the focus of investigation.