The death toll stemming from the partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South Condo has risen to 12, officials involved in the ongoing investigation revealed late Tuesday.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told reporters that investigators involved in sifting through rubble at the Surfside site recovered one additional body from the scene since the Monday update given to the public.
The official added that 149 individuals remain unaccounted for, with the number of accounted residents hitting 125.
Levine Cava further revealed that authorities are in the midst of putting together an audit that will offer "a more accurate, finalized number" of individuals who remain unaccounted and accounted. "This is a slow and methodical process," she underscored, calling for patience from the public.
Reiterating past remarks, the Miami-Dade mayor once again stated that figures are still very "fluid" as rescue efforts are now going into the sixth day.
The latest update from officials came as Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle announced that she would be calling on a grand jury to examine the demolition-like building collapse, specifically pinpointing on what safeguards can be implemented in the future to prevent such an incident.
The effort will also see the grand jury tasked with determining grounds for a potential criminal investigation, and come alongside an examination by the federal National Institute of Standards and Technology.
As rescue efforts continue, varying reports have suggested that the building's partial collapse may have stemmed from ongoing water issues and crumbling structural columns, among other issues. A letter sent to residents of the building in April touched on much-needed renovations, explaining that the estimated cost for the work was in the ballpark of roughly $16 million.
US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are expected to travel to Surfside on Thursday to survey the site.
