Rest of collapsed Florida building demolished with explosives ahead of storm
- Controlled explosion brings down unstable remains of 12-storey Champlain Towers South in Surfside
- So far, rescuers have recovered the remains of 24 people, with 121 still missing
The partially collapsed South Florida residential building where 24 people are confirmed dead has been demolished, ahead of the possible arrival of Tropical Storm Elsa.
Search-and-rescue efforts for 121 people missing have been suspended. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told reporters earlier on Sunday that rescue efforts would resume after the demolition, noting it was 11 days since the collapse.
The 12-storey building collapsed downward, throwing up plumes of smoke on Sunday night.
As of Sunday afternoon, Tropical Storm Elsa was off the coast of Cuba with winds of 95km/h (60mph). After moving across Cuba later on Sunday and Monday, the storm was forecast to approach western Florida on Tuesday or Wednesday.
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Florida building collapse: remaining portion demolished over safety concerns
In the wreckage of the Champlain Towers South complex in Surfside, workers drilled into columns where small explosive charges were placed to bring the remains of the building down in a small area, officials said.