Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Letter.

 

Did an unheeded warning result in the Florida building tragedy?

I am writing to you about Joshua Longmore’s report Death toll increases as rescuers frantically search collapsed Florida building (June 30): the increasing death toll in this story is heartbreaking – 36 and counting, along with residents who are still missing. One doesn’t often read about building collapses in the US. The photos of the rubble of the collapsed condominium tower in Surfside were especially tragic, as were the stories of the survivors. The video of the building being pulled down must have been difficult for the family members to watch. I’ve read some reports that despite engineers’ warnings three years ago about the condition of the 40-year-old building, authorities are said to have ignored advice to repair the structure.

Apart from the casualties of the pandemic, this is an additional burden and another tragedy for the people of Florida. I pray for the victims – and that the missing people be found largely unharmed.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India

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