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Miami building collapse: Fearful relatives hunt news of missing Miami building collapse: Relatives face agonising wait for news
(about 20 hours later)
Magaly Ramsey couldn't take a call from her now-missing mother the evening before A make-shift wall with flowers and images of the missing has been set up in Surfside
A devoted grandmother, a beloved teacher, the sister of Paraguay's first lady and a mother whose now distraught daughter couldn't take her call. Anguished families face an agonising wait for information about their loved ones following the Miami building collapse last Thursday.
All are among scores unaccounted for in the Miami building collapse. Ten people have been confirmed dead and 152 people are still missing.
Dozens are from the large Jewish community, a similar number named by Latin American consulates. On Sunday, a number of relatives were taken to the site, some shouting the names of their missing family members in the hope of getting a response.
Anxious posts go up on social media as fearful relatives and friends struggle for information, but also refuse to give up hope. Those missing include a devoted grandmother, a beloved teacher and the sister of Paraguay's first lady.
Watch: Helicopter and eyewitness footage show the scene after the collapse The search for survivors has been slow at the Champlain Tower apartment complex, as rescuers sort through the rubble in sweltering heat and high humidity.
The 12-storey residential building partially collapsed early on Thursday morning. So far only five people have been confirmed dead, and four of them have been named. Miami collapse: What happened? A visual guide
This is what we know about some of the missing: Relatives called on authorities to do more during a meeting over the weekend.
Mother of survivor is first victim to be named "It's not enough. Imagine if your children were in there," one mother told officials.
The first victim to be named was Stacie Fang, 54, whose 15-year-old son Jonah Handler was rescued from the rubble hours after the collapse. Here is what we know about some of those who have died, and some of those who are still missing.
According to US media, Ms Fang was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center on Thursday. Her funeral is due to take place on Sunday in New Jersey, NBC6 reported. 'They didn't want to be apart from each other'
In a statement, her family expressed thanks for the outpouring of sympathy and support they had received. Antonio Lozano, 83, and his wife Gladys, 79, are among those confirmed dead after their son Sergio Lozano gave officials a DNA sample.
"There are no words to describe the tragic loss of our beloved Stacie," it said. They were about to celebrate their 59th wedding anniversary in July and had known each other for more than 60 years.
An elderly couple who didn't want to die apart The couple used to joke that neither wanted the other one to die first, because they did not want to be apart from each other.
Antonio Lozano, 83, and his wife Gladys, 79, lived on the ninth floor. They were confirmed dead after officials took a DNA sample from their son, Sergio Lozano, and matched it to their bodies. Gladys and Antonio Lozano are among those confirmed dead
Sergio Lozano told local media that his parents had known each other for more than 60 years, and would have celebrated their 59th anniversary on 21 July. Mr Lozano could see his parents' apartment from his own home and heard the crash of the collapse. When he ran to the window, he could no longer see their apartment.
They used to joke that neither wanted the other one to die first, because they didn't want to be apart from each other. He told reporters that he took some comfort in the knowledge that they "went together and went quickly".
He said he took some comfort in the knowledge that they "went together and went quickly".
A father who loved baseball with his sonA father who loved baseball with his son
Manuel LaFont, 54, lived on the eighth floor of the building and has also been confirmed dead.Manuel LaFont, 54, lived on the eighth floor of the building and has also been confirmed dead.
Mr LaFont's two children, a 10-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl, had been spending time with him that day, but were picked up by their mother - Mr LaFont's ex-wife - just hours before the collapse.Mr LaFont's two children, a 10-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl, had been spending time with him that day, but were picked up by their mother - Mr LaFont's ex-wife - just hours before the collapse.
He would often be found playing baseball with his young son, the Miami Herald reports.He would often be found playing baseball with his young son, the Miami Herald reports.
Danny Berry, director of the Miami Beach Youth Baseball League, told the paper that "they were out there [playing baseball] until the lights went out".Danny Berry, director of the Miami Beach Youth Baseball League, told the paper that "they were out there [playing baseball] until the lights went out".
A British-American mother and her family 'Our beloved Stacie'
The whereabouts of Bhavna Patel, a 38-year-old British and US citizen, are unknown. She has been reported missing along with her husband, Vishal Patel, 42, and their one-year-old daughter, Aishani. The first victim to be officially named was Stacie Fang, whose 15-year-old son, Jonah Handler, was rescued from the rubble hours after the collapse.
According to US media, Ms Fang was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center on Thursday. Her funeral is due to take place on Sunday in New Jersey, NBC6 reported.
In a statement, her family expressed thanks for the outpouring of sympathy and support they had received.
"There are no words to describe the tragic loss of our beloved Stacie," it read.
Watch: Helicopter and eyewitness footage show the scene after the collapse
Rescuers on Sunday said they are searching "every bit of hope" as the hunt for survivors continues.
'A very loving family'
Among those missing are Bhavna Patel, a 38-year-old British and US citizen, her husband Vishal Patel, 42, and their one-year-old daughter, Aishani.
In a tweet a relative, Sarina Patel, confirmed her family members were yet to be found. Bhavna is pregnant, the tweet says.In a tweet a relative, Sarina Patel, confirmed her family members were yet to be found. Bhavna is pregnant, the tweet says.
Vishal Patel (left), Bhavna Patel (right) and Aishani (centre) are all reported missingVishal Patel (left), Bhavna Patel (right) and Aishani (centre) are all reported missing
Vishal's cousin Robin told Sky News that he had spoken with him the night before the building collapse.
"Aishani had just started to grow her first set of bottom teeth, her preference for teething was actually the stick from a xylophone toy. And Bhavna was pregnant so we were talking about that and arranging a family reunion," he told Sky News.
Umma Kannayan is a family friend of the Patels. She told the BBC's Will Grant that they were a "very loving" family who were closely involved in their religious community.Umma Kannayan is a family friend of the Patels. She told the BBC's Will Grant that they were a "very loving" family who were closely involved in their religious community.
"Aishani was like the little baby of the temple," she said. "It feels like you've lost a part of yourself.""Aishani was like the little baby of the temple," she said. "It feels like you've lost a part of yourself."
She said she was waiting with the Patel family's relatives for news, but that "not much information has been shared" about the victims. Ms Kannayan said she was waiting with the Patel family's relatives for news, but that "not much information has been shared" about the victims.
"I think all of us, the family included, and the folks that are very closely associated with them [at temple] would want to know the list of survivors currently present," she said. "Perhaps from there some hope either might be given or might be shattered, but some names out there would be very helpful for all."
Nicolette Brent, the UK's consul-general in Miami, visited the family reunification centre in Surfside on Thursday night. She said her team was "ready to help any British nationals who may have been involved in this tragic incident".
Members of the Jewish community
There are concerns for many members of the large Jewish community in the area.
On Thursday a local synagogue told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel newspaper that at least 34 of the people unaccounted for were Jewish.
Rabbi Sholom Lipskar of The Shul of Bal Harbour in Surfside said several members of his congregation were missing.
"This is something that transcends our capacity for understanding," he told US broadcaster CNN. "We accept it and we have to learn, as we do in our culture, resilience and to move forward because challenges don't hold us back."
The rabbi named Nancy Kress Levin, Jay Kleinman, Frankie Kleinman, Arie Leib, Yisroel Tzvi Yosef and Tzvi Doniel as missing.
This woman is looking for her husband, Brad Cohen, who hasn’t responded for 15 hours. He was in the building that collapsed on the 10th floor. He is an orthopedic surgeon and was with his brother. She’s asking the Surfside community if they have seen him at a nearby hospital pic.twitter.com/w5htz1He3T
Brad Cohen, 51, was in the building with his brother-in-law at the time of the collapse.
"The hardest thing has been seeing the devastation of my 12-year-old daughter, she is very close to her father," Brad's wife, Soraya Cohen, told the BBC.
Given the area has a large Jewish community, the tragedy has drawn the attention of Israeli aid groups and government authorities, including the country's consulate in Miami.
The consulate said the Israeli government had offered search-and-rescue help or other aid to local authorities, but had yet to receive an answer.
Family of Paraguay's first ladyFamily of Paraguay's first lady
In a statement, Paraguay's foreign ministry said six Paraguayan nationals had been registered as missing. The sister of Paraguay's first lady, Silvana López Moreira, is among those yet to be found.
Among them was Sophia López Moreira, the sister of Paraguay's first lady, Silvana López Moreira. Sophia López Moreira lived with her husband, Luis Pettengill, and their three children in the building.
Sophia lives with her husband, Luis Pettengill, and their three children in the building. The first lady has travelled to Florida to be with her family amid the ongoing search.
MISSING: Members of Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benítez’s family: Luis Pettengill, a cattle rancher, & wife, Sophia López Moreira — sister of the first lady, Silvana López Moreira. A family employee & the couple’s three children #SurfsideMissing https://t.co/VcA7dKbzBI pic.twitter.com/P264lfrrkBMISSING: Members of Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benítez’s family: Luis Pettengill, a cattle rancher, & wife, Sophia López Moreira — sister of the first lady, Silvana López Moreira. A family employee & the couple’s three children #SurfsideMissing https://t.co/VcA7dKbzBI pic.twitter.com/P264lfrrkB
Foreign Minister Euclides Acevedo told local media that President Mario Abdo Benítez had expressed concern for the safety of his relatives. Their nanny, Leidy Luna Villalba, is also missing. She had only just arrived in Miami on Wednesday - hours before the building collapsed. It was her first time travelling outside of Paraguay.
"Our consul and his team are making the rounds at hospitals in Miami," Mr Acevedo said. She had messaged her cousin when she arrived, telling him she was excited to explore the city.
The sixth missing Paraguayan was named as Lady Luna Villalba by the ministry. Her mother, Juana de Villalba, told media in Paraguay: "She's the primary breadwinner of our family and she went to Miami for work. She went for us. My heart is broken".
Latin Americans 'The youngest 92-year-old I know'
The Paraguayans are among at least 26 Latin American nationals reported missing by their consulates. Michael Noreiga's 92-year-old grandmother Hilda is yet to be found. He described her as "larger than life" and "92 years old going on 62".
That includes two Chileans, three Uruguayans, six Venezuelans and nine Argentines, but the number could be higher. "She is probably the most popular person that I know - tonnes of friends. She lives for her faith first, her family second and her friends third and she is so full of life, especially for her family," he told CNN.
Three of the Argentines were identified as Andrés Galfrascoli, 45, his partner Fabián Nuñez, 55, and their daughter, Sofía Galfrascoli Núñez, six, by a local newspaper. The paper says Mr Galfrascoli is a plastic surgeon, while Mr Nuñez is a singer and theatre director. Here’s Hilda Noriega. The 92 year old remains unaccounted for following the collapse Thursday morning. pic.twitter.com/IdI32SCRkL
My aunt and uncle lived on the 10th floor in unit 1001 of the Surfside building that collapsed. Their names are Maricoy Obias-Bonnefoy and Claudio Bonnefoy.If anyone has seen them or has any information please let me know. Thank you very much #Surfside pic.twitter.com/g1te0xX4eE After the collapse, Mr Noreiga rushed to the scene with his parents.
The two missing Chileans have been named as Claudio Bonnefoy, 85, and his wife María Obias-Bonnefoy. In a tweet their nephew said the couple had lived on the 10th floor of the collapsed building. "There was debris everywhere and my father, an hour or two after we got there, stepped on something and looked down and it happened to be a birthday card that was given to her by some of her friends a couple of weeks ago," he said.
They lived in an apartment on the side of the building that collapsed, the couple's daughter, Pascale Bonnefoy, told the New York Times, a newspaper she writes for. Shortly after, they found two of her pictures. "They were beautiful to find," Mr Noreiga said.
'I'll call her tomorrow' 'Devastated 12-year-old daughter'
Magaly Ramsey received a call from her mother, Magaly Delgado, the night before the building's collapse. Brad Cohen, 51, is one of several members of the Jewish community who remain missing. It is thought at least 34 of those unaccounted for are Jewish, a local synagogue told journalists.
"My mother called me at around 10 o'clock on Wednesday night, but I was at a conference and I couldn't answer her," Ms Ramsey told the BBC. He was in the building with his brother-in-law at the time of the collapse.
I'll call her tomorrow, she thought. Since then, however, she has not heard from her mother, an 80-year-old of Cuban origin. "The hardest thing has been seeing the devastation of my 12-year-old daughter, she is very close to her father," Brad's wife, Soraya Cohen, told the BBC.
"The most difficult thing is not having information," Ms Ramsey said. Soraya Cohen's husband Brad was inside the Champlain Tower when it collapsed
She told ABC News that she did not have hope that her husband would survive.
"Just look at that rubble," she said.
A beloved PE teacher and his wifeA beloved PE teacher and his wife
The disappearance of one Jewish couple prompted an emotional reaction on social media.The disappearance of one Jewish couple prompted an emotional reaction on social media.
Several people have queried the whereabouts of Myriam Caspi Notkin and Arnie Notkin, an elderly couple who lived on the third floor of the collapsed building.Several people have queried the whereabouts of Myriam Caspi Notkin and Arnie Notkin, an elderly couple who lived on the third floor of the collapsed building.
Speaking to the Miami Herald newspaper, Fortuna Smukler said Mr Notkin was a beloved member of the community. They married about 20 years ago after losing their spouses.
Ms Smukler said Mr Notkin taught physical education (PE) at a local primary school in South Beach for years, implanting him in the memories of many students. Speaking to the Miami Herald newspaper, Fortuna Smukler said Mr Notkin is a beloved member of the community.
Ms Smukler said Mr Notkin taught physical education (PE) at a local primary school in South Beach for years, and is remembered by many students.
"He was such a well-liked PE teacher from people's past," she said. "Everyone's been posting, 'Oh my god, he was my coach'.""He was such a well-liked PE teacher from people's past," she said. "Everyone's been posting, 'Oh my god, he was my coach'."
"It would be a miracle if they're found alive." Ms Smukler said he always had stories to tell.
"He had students who became famous, and he had to tell me about them, how they were good or mischievous," she said.
'I'll call her tomorrow'
Magaly Ramsey received a call from her mother, Magaly Delgado, the night before the collapse.
"My mother called me at around 10 o'clock on Wednesday night, but I was at a conference and I couldn't answer her," Ms Ramsey told the BBC.
Magaly Ramsey couldn't take a call from her now-missing mother the evening before
I'll call her tomorrow, she thought. Since then, however, she has not heard from her mother, an 80-year-old of Cuban origin.
"The most difficult thing is not having information," Ms Ramsey said.
She added that her mother had been concerned about shaking from nearby construction work.
"When the other building beside it, which is relatively new, was being built, she did complain of a lot of tremors and things... she sometimes was concerned about what may be happening to her building," she told CNN's Wolf Blitzer.
A devoted grandmotherA devoted grandmother
Kevin Spiegel was on a business trip in California when he received a message about the building's collapse. He and his wife Judy, 66, had an apartment on the sixth floor of the building for more than four years. Kevin Spiegel was on a business trip in California when he heard about the collapse. He and his wife Judy, 66, had lived in an apartment on the sixth floor for more than four years.
Judy's daughter, Rachel Spiegel, was last in contact with her mother on Wednesday night, the New York Times reported. Mrs Spiegel's daughter, Rachel, was last in contact with her mother the night before, the New York Times reported.
The newspaper said Judy had texted her to say that she had finally found the Disney dress one of her granddaughters, four-year-old Scarlett, had asked for as a gift. The newspaper said Judy had texted her to say that she had finally found the Disney dress that her four-year-old granddaughter wanted.
A devoted grandmother, Judy had been helping with picking up the children from school, her daughter said.
“I really am praying for a miracle,” says Rachel Spiegel, daughter of Judy Spiegel. The Spiegel family says Judy is among the dozens who remain unaccounted for after the #SurfsideBuildingCollapse. @nbc6 https://t.co/qre8b60CZX pic.twitter.com/wtmpfIvAZV“I really am praying for a miracle,” says Rachel Spiegel, daughter of Judy Spiegel. The Spiegel family says Judy is among the dozens who remain unaccounted for after the #SurfsideBuildingCollapse. @nbc6 https://t.co/qre8b60CZX pic.twitter.com/wtmpfIvAZV
As of Friday, Judy was still missing, but her family have not given up hope. A devoted grandmother, Judy had been helping with picking up the children from school, Rachel said.
"My mum is just the best person in the world. She is so caring and loving," Rachel told CNN.
She added that her young daughter had been asking if her grandmother had been found yet.
"We're very hopeful that the community here will be able to find our loved ones," Judy's son Josh Spiegel told CNN."We're very hopeful that the community here will be able to find our loved ones," Judy's son Josh Spiegel told CNN.