Search and rescue work on the Miami building interrupted due to the risk of collapse

Miami police boats are watching the wreckage of the collapsed building in the distance.Mark Humphrey / AP

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava ordered the temporary suspension of search and rescue work at the Champlain Towers complex on Thursday.

The structural damage to the building and fears of a total collapse have forced the authorities to make the decision.

"The only reason for this pause is fears about the structure that remains standing," Levine said Thursday morning.

The rescuers' work will be resumed as soon as the specialists manage to reduce the risks.

The collapse of one of the 12-story buildings, registered a week ago, has left at least 18 victims.

There are still 145 missing.

President Joe Biden traveled to Florida on Thursday to meet with family members who are waiting for news of his family.

More information

• An April report warned of significant damage to the collapsed building structure

• Relatives, desperate: "Do you think they will find someone alive? Not me"

• Miami enters fifth day of search

Rescue work was suspended at 2.11 in the morning on Thursday, according to Alan Cominsky, the head of the city's fire department. Those responsible for the search operation fear that a column of the structure will be defeated with the removal of rubble and several concrete plates. Monitors placed by specialists captured that the spine was already having a displacement. Firefighters and structural engineers are working on options to resume work. "We will provide all the resources that are necessary to allow the search to continue," said Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday, who met with Biden this morning.

The president of the United States has landed this Thursday morning in Florida accompanied by his wife Jill Biden. The couple went to Surfside, north of Miami Beach, to meet with local authorities and those who have coordinated the search, which has already been going on for a week. "The president and the first lady will thank the heroic first responders," the White House said in a statement. This afternoon, the president will meet with several families affected by this tragedy.

Mayor Levine Cava reported Wednesday night that among the 18 victims are two sisters, Lucia and Emma Guara, ages 10 and four respectively.

His parents are also among the deceased.

At least 29 Latin Americans from countries such as Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay, Venezuela, Uruguay and Chile are among the disappeared.

Miami police are using DNA tests to identify some of the deceased.

The rescuers' work has also been hampered by constant rains.

Authorities are monitoring the advance across the Atlantic of Tropical Storm Elsa, which could become a hurricane and hit South Florida next week, further complicating the teams' tasks.

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