Condo rescue effort resumes; Biden visits Florida

The rescue effort at the collapsed condo tower in South Florida resumed Thursday evening after it had been halted earlier in the day over concerns about the structural integrity of the still-standing portion of the building.

The pause was prompted in part by 6-12 inches of movement in a large column hanging from the structure that could come loose and damage support columns, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Alan Cominsky said. There also was some movement in concrete slabs on the south side of the building.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden met with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday to discuss rescue and relief efforts in the tragedy.

"You know what's good about this?" Biden asked DeSantis. "We're letting the nation know we can cooperate."

DeSantis, a Republican rising star and ally of former president Donald Trump, is a major player in partisan fights across the country over issues such as coronavirus lockdowns.

The two men met in Bal Harbour, Florida, to discuss relief efforts after the collapse of the 12-story Champlain Towers South building in Surfside on June 24, in which 18 people are confirmed dead and another 145 missing and feared dead.

"Thank you, Mr. President," DeSantis said. "You recognized the severity of this tragedy from day one, and you've been very supportive.

"We've had no bureaucracy" and no delays in getting federal resources to Florida, he added.

Biden and first lady Jill Biden later visited a memorial to victims in Surfside with the president expected to make remarks later Thursday in Miami.

Cominsky also revealed Thursday that rescue crews heard a woman calling for help beneath the rubble during initial search-and-rescue efforts last week.

A search dog detected someone trapped under concrete soon after the building collapse. The fire chief said that rescue crews first believed the person was a child but later identified her as an adult woman.

Cominsky said rescuers searched for several hours but couldn't locate the woman.

Eventually, the voice went silent.

"Unfortunately, we didn't have success," Cominsky said.

Meanwhile, DeSantis' office has declined to say whether he will attend a campaign-style rally that Trump plans for Saturday in Sarasota, Florida. Officials close to Trump say he has instructed his staff to collect relief funds for Surfside families at the rally.

DeSantis' office also is refuting reports that he is feuding with Trump over the rally.

The Washington Examiner reported that DeSantis "made a direct plea" to Trump to "read the room" and not hold the rally.

"Governor DeSantis is focusing on his duties as Governor and the tragedy in Surfside and has never suggested or requested that events planned in different parts of Florida — from the Stanley Cup finals to President Trump's rally — should be canceled," a statement said.

"He wants all Floridians to enjoy the holiday weekend and celebrate Independence Day however they choose, while keeping the Surfside families and first responders in their prayers," said the statement.

DeSantis, 42, is widely viewed as a top candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and has led in some polls, even ones that include Trump.

The 75-year-old former president said in a pre-recorded town hall meeting that aired on Wednesday that he has decided whether he will seek office again but did not reveal the decision.