Investigators give insight into possible causes of Surfside condo collapse
This report was created with support from enhanced software.
Media Landscape
See who else is reporting on this story and which side of the political spectrum they lean. To read other sources, click on the plus signs below. Learn more about this data[LAUREN TAYLOR]
THERE ARE NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE SURFSIDE CONDO COLLAPSE THAT KILLED 98 PEOPLE IN JUNE 2021.
ENGINEERS STUDYING THE TRAGIC EVENT RELEASED PORTIONS OF VIDEO FOOTAGE THURSDAY NIGHT DURING A MEETING — SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE COLLAPSE.
INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY STILL CANNOT PINPOINT THE “INITIATING EVENT” THAT TRIGGERED THE COLLAPSE – HOWEVER – THEY EMPHASIZED THEY ARE EDGING CLOSER TO UNDERSTANDING WHAT PRECISELY CAUSED IT.
THE PANEL OF ENGINEERS UNCOVERED DISCREPANCIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TOWER SECTION OF THE CONDO. THEY SAY — WHILE THE CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS WERE COMPLIANT, THE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION FAILED TO MEET BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS.
INVESTIGATORS ALSO FOUND STRUCTURAL ISSUES IN THE POOL DECK, COLUMNS, AND CONCRETE STRENGTH.
THEY ALSO INTERVIEWED SEVERAL WITNESSES AND RESIDENTS WHO SURVIVED – WHO REPORTED HEARING “KNOCKING” AND “HAMMERING” SOUNDS MOMENTS BEFORE THE BUILDING COLLAPSED.
AND INSPECTIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS – WHICH ARE CRUCIAL FOR ENSURING STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY — WERE CARRIED OUT BY THE ENGINEER OF RECORD, RATHER THAN BY GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES.
THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING… THE PANEL AIMS TO FILE A FINAL REPORT BY FALL 2025.