Skip to content

In pictures: Rescuers search rubble of Miami building

Rescuers have been working around the clock in the search for people trapped under the rubble of an apartment block that collapsed near Miami on Thursday.

US President Joe Biden has ordered federal assistance to support state and local response efforts.

Reuters An aerial view showing a partially collapsed building in Surfside near Miami Beach, Florida, US, 24 June 2021.Reuters
Most the 12-storey oceanfront complex collapsed in the early hours of Thursday in the suburb of Surfside
Reuters Emergency crew members search for missing residents in a partially collapsed building in Surfside, near Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., June 24, 2021.Reuters
Sounds have been heard from beneath the giant mound of concrete and twisted metal
Getty Images Rubble hangs from a partially collapsed building in Surfside north of Miami Beach, on June 24, 2021.Getty Images
Parts of children's bedrooms were visible
Reuters Onlookers view a partially collapsed residential building in Surfside, near Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., June 24, 2021.Reuters
At least one person has been killed and 99 are still missing, officials say
Reuters People embrace at the Surfside Community Center where authorities are taking residents and relatives from a partially collapsed building in Surfside near Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., June 24, 2021.Reuters
Residents and relatives have been gathering at the Surfside Community Center
Reuters A building that partially collapsed is seen in Surfside, near Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., June 24, 2021.Reuters
The cause of the collapse is unknown, although the tower was undergoing repairs
MIAMI DADE FIRE DEPARTMENT/Reuters Fire crew members work at the basement parking garage of a partially collapsed residential building in Surfside, Miami-Dade County, Florida, U.S., June 24, 2021.MIAMI DADE FIRE DEPARTMENT/Reuters
Fire crew members tunnelled from an underground car park below the building in an effort to reach victims
Reuters Emergency crews respond to a partially collapsed residential building in Surfside, near Miami Beach Florida, U.S. June 24, 2021.Reuters
Rescuers were using sonar cameras and specially trained dogs in the search
Getty Images Search and Rescue personnel pull a body out of the rubble after the partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, north of Miami Beach, on June 24, 2021.Getty Images
Authorities have begun taking DNA samples from relatives of those still missing in case only remains of their family members are found
Getty Images A lightning strikes above the Champlain Towers South as Search and Rescue personnel work after the partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, north of Miami Beach, on June 24, 2021Getty Images
Rain and storms are further complicating an already difficult task for the emergency teams
Getty Images First responders arrive at a partially collapsed building in Miami Beach, Florida, on June 24, 2021.Getty Images
The search effort was delayed by at least one fire at the site
Getty Images In this aerial view, search and rescue personnel work after the partial collapse of the 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building on June 24, 2021 in Surfside, Florida.Getty Images
Experts who studied the building last year said it was unstable and had been sinking since the 1990s

All photos subject to copyright.