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Federal investigators say deadly Surfside building collapse began 3 weeks prior
ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos • • nation
Key Points:
- Federal investigators determined that the Surfside, Florida condo collapse began three weeks before the June 24, 2021 disaster, starting with the failure of two garage column connections to the pool deck.
- The initial failure caused cracks and load redistribution in the pool deck, ultimately leading to the catastrophic collapse that killed 98 people.
- Earlier investigations revealed construction deviations in the pool deck, including inadequate reinforcing bars over vertical columns, contributing to structural weaknesses.
- Documents showed the pool deck and underground garage ceiling required repairs as early as 1996, with a 2018 city report highlighting major structural damage and waterproofing failures.
- The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will now focus on completing its final report on the collapse.
