Six bodies, including those of two children, were found Wednesday in the rubble of a partially collapsed condominium building in Surfside, Florida, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said, raising the death toll to 18.
“We are doing everything humanly possible, and then some, to get through this tragedy and we are doing it together," Cava said at a news conference.
Miami-Dade Assistant Fire Chief Raide Jadallah said the victims' closest relatives had not yet been identified and that other human remains had been found.
Officials said 145 people were still missing, but they remained hopeful of finding survivors. State authorities have asked for another search-and-rescue team to help find them.
About half of the 12-floor, 136-unit Champlain Towers South collapsed last Thursday, and since then rescue workers have slowly picked their way through the rubble using cranes, infrared scanners and dogs.
Cava said Wednesday that the rescue crews were continuing “the brave and very, very difficult task, putting themselves in danger.”
"They have been working nonstop for nearly six days,” she said.
U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are scheduled to visit Surfside on Thursday.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters the Bidens wanted to thank those who have been “working tirelessly around the clock,” and meet with the families who have had to endure the difficult process of waiting for news about their loved ones. Psaki said the president would also talk with state and local officials to ensure they have the resources they need.
Levine Cava, in a statement Tuesday, welcomed the president’s upcoming visit and the efforts of federal and state agencies in response to what she called the “largest non-hurricane emergency operation” in Florida’s history.
Miami-Dade Office of Emergency Management Division Director Charles Cyrille told reporters late Tuesday more than 50 agencies were operating at the collapse site, including more than 900 personnel.
