As the search and rescue mission to recover as many of the 151 residents still missing under the condo wreckage continues, people gathered at the beach near Champlain Towers for a community vigil in honor of the victims.
The search mission for the missing residents of the Surfside condo collapse continues to work around the clock while family members remain hopeful. On Monday night, June 28, a large group of people gathered at a nearby beach for a vigil in memory of the victims of the building collapse, with both relatives and strangers joining in the silence and the pain.
Around 135 residents have been accounted for and 151 still missing, while the death toll is now at 11 and expected to rise, but the victims’ families remained hopeful during Monday night’s vigil.
Many others also gathered around the memorial wall that has gone up at Veteran’s Park on 88th street. Created by the victims’ loved ones last Friday, June 25, this make-shift memorial hung on to a tennis court fence has become a gathering spot for neighbors and people whose loved ones are among the missing as well as strangers who have been stopping by for a moment of silence and prayer.
Locals have been coming here to hang flowers, light candles, leave heartfelt messages for missing residents, and pray in an almost peaceful and serene moment of unity during these tragic times for the local and Miami-Dade communities for months, years to come.
If you’re looking to help those affected by the collapse of Champlain Towers South make sure to check out: How To Help In The Aftermath Of The Surfside Condo Collapse
[Featured image by Giorgio Viera / AFP]