Joe Biden, President of the United States, arrived in Miami this Thursday (1) with his wife Jill Biden to meet the families of victims of the building collapse in Miami on the 24th. The tragedy has already left 18 people dead and 145 others missing.

Thursday’s visit marks the second time since Biden was elected president that he has been to the site of a natural disaster. Biden is making his second trip to a disaster scene during his presidency. After a severe snowstorm in February in Texas, the population was without power and had no heating system. Many people died.

Although the visit was originally scheduled for Wednesday, it was postponed to avoid disrupting efforts to find victims among the rubble. The president issued an emergency declaration and offered federal aid to Florida.

The tragedy

The collapse of a building at Surfside, Florida has so far caused 18 deaths, according to Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava on Wednesday (30), during a press conference.

“It is with deep sadness and real pain that I have to tell you that the victims of this tragedy were children. Ages 4-10 years. Cava stated that any loss of life is tragic, especially considering the unpredicted and unexpected nature of the event. However, the loss of our children was too great to bear.”

Nearly a week later, 145 people remain missing. Although the rescue operation continues, it has been hampered due to large concrete chunks falling apart.

Around 55 of the 136 units of the building collapsed, leaving behind huge piles filled with rubble and other materials.

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