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Official: Rescue Worker Tumbled 25 Feet; 10 Confirmed Dead in Condo Collapse, 15 Still Unaccounted For. Aired 12-12:30p ET

Aired June 28, 2021 - 12:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[12:00:00]

MAYOR CHARLES BURKETT, SURFSIDE, FLORIDA: I just have a handful of things I want to share with you. Firstly this morning I was at the site and I observed hundreds of search and rescue people actively using their hands digging out and doing what they're here to do. I also observed the heavy equipment that the governor and the federal government have sent down to us inaction lifting off huge slabs and moving them away from the pile.

Secondly, I visited with the families again this morning, as did everybody probably standing here. And we heard from the Israeli team that is here. And one of the things I wanted to note was that the Israeli Commander told us that - there is a joint effort, there's camaraderie, and everybody has the same goal. And that's the pull people out of there. He also added that the intensity and the numbers will continue to increase which I was very interested to hear.

Thirdly, I want to make everybody aware that there has been some discussion about why this happened? And that is, as the Mayor Cava said, and the governor said, that's an issue for another day, because right now we have two issues.

Number one is to pull our family and friends out of that rubble and reunite them. Number two is to support the families. But to the end, with respect to the information, we directed our staff to go ahead and scan every shred of documentation that the town of Surfside has, which includes going to our archive storage sites.

We've got boxes, and we're sending those boxes to a printing scanning company. And those documents will be available for your review. I know you've seen some documents already. And again, I haven't had a chance to watch the news because we're sort of in the midst of this disaster all of us.

I don't know - I don't know that anybody else has a chance to watch the news either. But I learned stuff from you guys. And I'm able to follow up on it. But most recent are a couple of disturbing comments that I saw regarding - at the Champlain Towers with respect to some of our officials in town. But be that as it may, we will get to the bottom of it.

Last comment I want to make is late last night I had toured and this is on the personal side. I have toured the site as I normally do. Usually I'm there three times a day, morning, afternoon and evening. And I came across a little girl. She's about 11 or 12-years-old.

And I had seen this little girl before I know because she was with her mom. And we had talked and she may have been with her dad, not quite sure. But she - one of her parents was in that building at the time of the collapse and the other parent lives a couple buildings away.

And she told me she goes back and forth. When I came across her, she was sitting in a chair by herself with nobody around for looking at her phone. And I knelt down and I asked her what are you doing? Are you OK? And she said yes, she did. She said something and what she was telling me I never - it was a Jewish prayer.

But she was reading a Jewish prayer to herself, sitting at the site by where one of her parents presumably is and that really brought it home to that. And she was just, she wasn't crying. She was just lost. She didn't know what to do? What to say? Who to talk to?

And I was looking for her this morning at that family meeting and I didn't see her but I am going to find her. And I'm going to tell her that we're all here for her. And we're going to do the best we can to bring out those parents.

So anyway, it's sort of thick. This is disturbing. But that is just a tiny, tiny example of the impact this collapse has happening on - thank you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you Mayor. Now Miami-Dade Commissioner Chairman will say few words.

JOSE "PEPE" DIAZ, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN: Mayor that story is the story of so many that are in this situation right now. The families we met with the mayor and me this morning, the pain in their face. Their expressions sound like anything I've seen before.

[12:05:00]

DIAZ: It is it is very difficult to know that your loved one is totally alive and have the hope to believe that and at the same time, just sit there and wait for that information to get to you. That's got to be one of the most difficult things that anybody couldn't do it.

And these people are doing it now, as governor said 100 hours, this took place. But the hope is there, because the very best team in the world started early. Because they were - they are part of this community started one.

And many have come as a CFO stated, to come and help many more stuff as needed. So this community is blessed these people are blessed that we have the kind of people that know what they're doing for the very best at what they do. And they're doing it non-stop, rain, whatever comes in the way they don't stop and they're continuing.

So it is about them. That is who this is about. And we pray for them. We're constantly having hope. And we're begging God for that hope for them. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what my colleagues and I have been doing here. Making sure that whatever is needed on my behalf is done.

So our mission does not here right now it's just helping. But it will come later when we have to deal with the problems of how this happened and how we can make sure that this never happens again? And that is where we're at this point.

ABBY PHILLIP, CNN HOST: You were just listening to Florida officials out of Surfside to give an update on the Florida Condo collapse. We just learned some new and heartbreaking numbers just in. The death toll has now climbed to 10.

The total numbers still missing is 151. For 100 hours straight that is low how long the rescues have been out there digging for survivors in the rubble and officials are sending an important message to the families just now. Don't lose hope.

The Governor Ron DeSantis promises, the search will continue and it will not stop. He says the time horizon here is a long time for this kind of work. Sonar, heavy machinery is now part of that search as well.

Let's get straight to CNN's Nick Valencia, who is in Surfside and has been talking to some families who've been listening to this information. Nick, what are they telling you about this latest update?

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We heard a very compassionate tone from local and state officials here understanding that as we enter day five of this search and rescue that it has been extremely difficult for these families to cling to what little hope they have at this point.

I did just get a call a short time ago while that press conference was happening from one of the friends of two adults and a six-year-old little girl who they believe are under that rubble. They say they were home this story, an extremely heartbreaking one Abby.

When it was told to me on Friday, this person said that this, this couple had just actually arrived at the apartment complex at 10 o'clock that night with plans of taking their six-year-old daughter to a beach camp so that they can enjoy themselves, only to they say now be buried under that rubble.

I mentioned the range of emotions here the combination of how this is being processed with anger, grief, frustration, downright outrage? This person telling me over the phone that they were bordering on an anxiety attack, and they just really called me to vent.

They were crying on the phone when they called me because they don't know what to do or who to turn to at this point? They say they are getting very little information, certainly not satisfactory amount of information from these officials who have assured us and then that they are doing all they can. Go back to that press conference Abby.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: --search and rescue operations. We have all Florida Task Force teams on site, still operating throughout our 12 hour operational periods. A very, very challenging and very difficult situation but we keep going, looking searching for any opportunity. I have my system of operations to come up just to speak a little more detail on what we're covering.

CHIEF RAIDE JADALLAH, ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF OF OPERATIONS, MIAMI-DADE FIRE RESCUE: Thank you, chief. Alright, so just a recap from yesterday versus today and what we're looking for later on today. So as the operations continue, we have personnel utilizing bucket brigade including the heavy machinery to start with removing some of the debris.

[12:10:00]

JADALLAH: This afternoon we'll be switching positions as a result that most of the individuals have come up upon larger concrete areas that now require heavy machinery. During that process of the de-layering, we did find the 10th victim, as the Honorable Mayor had mentioned, that the person was processed and removed from the pile and operations continued.

Again, the operations continue in the search and rescue mode. There's a misunderstanding regarding that everyone believes that the search and rescue operation should cease after a specific time. And that's far from the truth.

In the end, there are numerous variables and facts. It's not based on opinions. It's not based on time. It's not based on you know, specific, arrogant you just happen to see on TV that went down. It's based on variables and facts. In conjunction with that, we have to consider all options.

Then, and only then we take all that information, and we make a collective decision. But it's not going to be from an office. It's not going to be from a television. It's not going to be from an individual that's down the street. It's going to be made collectively with the incident commander and from there on forward. Thank you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you Assistant Chief. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue--

PHILLIP: You just heard there more from the officials in Surfside, Florida. Once again, the breaking news this hour is that there are now 10 bodies that have been recovered from that rubble. We're going to go back to Nick Valencia, who's been speaking with families down in Florida. Nick, we were just telling us the families are reacting to this news as it's coming in.

VALENCIA: And this 10th body that was recovered from the rubble has not been identified just yet, Abby, so those I've been speaking to know that there is a chance that that is their loved one, which is why over the weekend, one of them who had been speaking to Pablo Rodriguez volunteered for a DNA swab.

A volunteer for a mouth swab in the event that human remains of his mother or grandmother were recovered. You know, we have been here since practically this building collapsed and talking to these family members, seeing their hope fade over the days. They went from being very strong and firm and their convictions, but

their faith has been tested throughout this last weekend. And certainly we saw a turn of events yesterday. Abby, let's go back to that press conference.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And my second question is for Mayor - and that the - you're having with family? What are the conversations like everyone are you helping them - prepare for?

JADALLAH: OK, so the first question regards to fire that the belief that the operations are going too slow. This discussion came up during the Family Assistance Center it is one of the questions that was brought up by the family. And this was you know, addressed by us and again seconded by the Israeli team that was there.

Folks, what we're dealing with are a situation that, you know, includes it complexity, and I know that we utilize the words before, however, the situation I've had is we're not lifting, you know, floor by floor. We're talking about overrides concrete. We're talking about steel.

Every time there's an action, there's a reaction, as yesterday is a perfect example. Now we have family members at the site to basically see exactly what we've done. This is, you know, this is unconventional, especially so early in the stages.

However, as the individuals continue to work feverishly with urgency, they witnessed a rescue or tumbled 25 feet down the mouth. That is a perfect example of the situation that we're dealing with. This was again; it was witnessed by the family members themselves at the site.

So again, it's not an issue of we could just attach a couple of chords to a concrete boulder and lift it and call it a day. We're digging through again, rubbles of concrete the size of basketballs the size of baseballs. And then and only then in combination with the safety of the personnel, and of course, you know, considering, you know, the victims themselves.

It's going to take time. It's not going to happen overnight. It's a 12 story building. It's going to take some time.

MAYOR DANIELLA LEVINE CAVA, (D) MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA: To follow up with the part of the question having to do with what is discussed at the family briefings, that's what's discussed. Assistant Chief Jadallah has gone through in extreme detail. The map of the mound, it's marked out the grids explains exactly what's being done in each part of the grid.

After all of the technical questions are answered, we talked about DNA. We talked about how the DNA match is going to be made. We talk about communicating with family members who will be the next of kin.

[12:15:00]

CAVA: How will they be contacted? Who will be next to learning about it? How will it be opened up for public knowledge? And we talked about their questions about is enough being done. And they have seen firsthand what is being done.

And they see that everything has been done that can be done, and that they recognize the full danger that these first responders are exposing themselves to, and, and what it has taken for them to get to this point.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Inaudible)

CAVA: Families, because of the process we've gone through are coming to their own conclusions. Some are feeling more hopeful, some less hopeful, because we do not have definitive answers. We give them the facts.

We take them to the site. We show them the operation. We show them where the pancake is. We show them where the tunnel is. We show them where the dots are running up and identifying something that is then going to be explored.

They have seen the operation. They understand now how it works. And they are preparing themselves for news one way or the other.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mayor, are - identifying the victims is this an issue of DNA or communicating with your --?

CAVA: So we tell you the difference. We tell you when a person is identified, and we tell you when we can identify it to you, which is after the next of kin have been notified?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What's going on with them? I'm going to defer to--

CAVA: OK, for the police will have an answer. They're handling the homicide investigation so they can answer.

ALFREDO "FREDDY" RAMIREZ, DIRECTOR, MIAMI-DADE POLICE: In terms of the two one identified - what was your question?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My question was on the unidentified - is it an issue of DNA, which you don't have or is an issue that you hadn't been able to communicate with her family?

RAMIREZ: There are multiple variables when you're dealing with this; it depends on the condition of the family member that's recovered. We have crime scene and medical examiner personnel on scene with our firefighters, when a family member is recovered.

If it's possible, we do a rapid DNA test, and then immediately goes to the lab and we expedite that component. Once we have a positive match, we are in a very sensitive and personal manner; we make contact with the next of kin.

If there's a component where we cannot get rapid DNA, the medical examiner will collect a family member and that process will happen at the medical examiner's office. Once that family members identify, then that process will happen we will notify execute same way.

That's how we do and we do it all with respect and integrity. It's very emotional. This whole process has been emotional. And that's why I call it family member because what we've got through here; I think we're all family now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can you just talk about some of the facts and variables or data.

RAMIREZ: Sure. One moment let me just say answer, what was that ma'am?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Inaudible)

RAMIREZ: We - once we make - why you see when we say we have lost 10. And there's nine identified that's because that process is going on. You know, when it comes to the part that it is a family member that we're unable to identify at that moment, the medical examiner will assist in that with that process.

And that'll come along. And obviously that will affect the numbers as we move on. That's why all these numbers we're giving or right now subject to change. We're dealing with a very terrible situation here. That's why we have to be very, always keeping mindful of our family members that are listening and watching right now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you could just please talk about some of the facts that you're gathering that may be providing hope.

JADALLAH: Alright, so in regards to some of the facts and variables that the operations and every operational period that we hit upon. As we continue to de-layer, just as we mentioned, to the families that the families assistance center, we have, what we utilize is called sonar its listening devices.

In addition to that, some of the facts that we have - are some of the variables or the sizes of the void spaces. There are certain areas that we have not gotten to but we've been able to place cameras that seem to have large enough spaces voids that occupants may still be in there.

[12:20:00]

JADALLAH: Again, it's in regards to the actual spaces not to say that we've seen anybody down there but we haven't gotten to the very bottom. In regards to the sound so that there's no misunderstanding it's not sounds of, you know, people talking or yelling out.

As I've mentioned to the families, it could be a tap could be a scratch; it may be nothing more than some of the metal that's contorting. But at the end, as I've said before, all variables, all facts have to be made before we make a decision to move to the next phase.

And I can tell you that it's not based on one little section, because it was completely destroyed. I have to look at the entire pile as 100 percent, you know, and confirm and regards that we need to go to the next phase. And again, I got to reassure - re mentioned the fact that we're just not there yet. We're just not there yet.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Now that we have some semblance of a DNA database, what's the timeline from like covering someone--

RAMIREZ: This is what's so amazing. The work that's being done only by our fire personnel, but our homicide detective our crime scene personnel, that and our medical examiner, or rabbis who were there also on the scene that are helping us.

When we are able to collect it's called rapid DNA when we have a family member where they are eligible to go through the rapid DNA process. The moment that's sample is taken that detective that analyst will run directly to the family unification center where it's entered into a system for a - so we can have the match with other standards that we took from family members.

Then there's a second protocol at the lab. It's verified because we cannot have a partial it has to be 100 percent because we cannot read victimize our family members and give them wrong information. Typically what we've been seeing has been within a day when we're able to get the rapid DNA component.

When the DNA has to be done from the medical examiners they do it as fast as they can. And then that notification is made. But that's pretty much how the process is and we do it as fast as we can and as accurate and correctly as we can.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Foreign Language)

CAVA: (Foreign Language)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Foreign Language)

CAVA: (Foreign Language)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Final question, right here sir.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can you please answer to the - but those around the border - reports suggesting that potential big signals about problems with the stock price or side accounting reports or climate reports published suggests that there were issues. How can you have problems associated with reports? If you haven't officially begun with the signals--

CAVA: Let me say from the county's perspective, the buildings that are under our jurisdiction are being reviewed.

[12:25:00]

CAVA: We have on site we're going through every building that that has been reviewed to make sure that every problem that's been identified is pursued. I feel confident that it has been we have a very, very rigorous building department. And we stand ready to assist our cities just like is happening in Surfside to do that deep dive and not only that but immediately to make any changes that we can to make this process more robust in the future.

BURKETT: Well, I told you this morning, yes, well, I know I did. I didn't. And that's why, you know, because I'm here, sort of in the news rather than watching it. But the bottom line is, is, you know, my commitment is we're going to take everything we have boxes digitally, get scanned, and get it up on the weds website, it is what it is.

And we're going to let you guys sort of review it and we'll address it as it you know, as it comes. But like I said, I think all of us agree that the number one priority today is to rescue people out of that rubble. Number two is to support the families and then we'll get to that, but just know that that is in the works. And we will be 100 percent transparent.

PHILLIP: You were just listening to Florida officials give an update on the very active search and rescue efforts in Surfside. And joining us now is Andrew Hyatt at the Town Manager of Surfside.

Andy, you were just listening to a question about this 2018 report detailing some structural integrity issues with the Champlain Tower South. Did you know about that report? And do you have concerns about what was contained in it?

ANDREW HYATT, SURFSIDE TOWN MANAGER: I actually - I did not know about the report. I've been here about a month. So I'm learning a lot of things just like everybody else. What is contained in it is information in a conversation with the Condo Association and our former building official Ross Prieto.

What we do know is that we're gathering the information, putting it on the website, getting it up, there. Our public records are getting out there. And we're also looking internally. We're going to be making some plans going forward to not only look at this building, but possibly others.

But we want to make sure that we do our due diligence, as far as these buildings are concerned as far as our citizens. But first of all, just I want to make sure everyone knows our hearts go out to these families and these victims of this terrible tragedy and we pray for them. And I know a lot of people around the country or pray and the world is praying for these situations.

PHILLIP: And we join you in those sentiments. I mean, it's an incredible, incredible tragedy that we're all witnessing. One of the big questions, though, that the families have is how could this have happened? And the document from 2018 did detail have reportedly some significant issues, including cracking in the concrete?

How concerning to you is that now that that an official told residents shortly after that report was created that the building was in, "Very good shape", despite the warnings that were contained in it?

HYATT: Right now, actually, again, I'll repeat, I wasn't there. Obviously, I do understand that you can pour fresh concrete, and there are cracks in there. That's not to belittle this situation or to make it less concerning. We are very concerned. Our whole staff is concerned.

We're also concerned about so much so that we've called in a structural engineer out of Washington D.C., who actually worked on the Pentagon worked on the collapse of the FIU Bridge here in Miami back when that happened.

So we were bringing in the experts to help us with that to help us understand I'm not an engineer, so I needed people to interpret that for us and interpret that for the leadership of our community. And also the, you know, law enforcement as we go forward in what will you know, obviously be an investigation into this.

PHILLIP: That's really fascinating. I mean, we were just hearing from the officials at the press conference, just the extent of the search and rescue effort. And also the risk that is and the danger that these rescuers are in one of the rescuers falling 25 feet down the pile as families watched.

I wonder as you are on the ground there. How are you doing? What are you seeing from the families? What is the reaction in the community to this effort that everyone now knows is going to take a very, very long time?

HYATT: Well, as with any tragedy like this, everybody's shocked. You know, I think the realization of what's happened is starting to sink in. There's hope, you know, we're all you know, like to think that we're cup half full kind of people. And I think that attitude is helping the individuals that are here to help do the search and rescue.

[12:30:00]