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Five years after Surfside condo collapse, trauma lingers : NPR
NPR • • nation
Key Points:
- A torch-lighting ceremony was held in Surfside, Florida, to remember the 98 victims of the Champlain Towers South collapse on June 24, 2021, one of the largest structural failures in U.S. history.
- First responders faced a massive and complex rescue operation amid dangerous conditions, involving over 2,200 personnel and international assistance, with some working for nearly a month at the site.
- The National Institute of Standards and Technology found that the collapse began with failures in garage column connections, exacerbated by design and construction flaws, and will issue a final report with safety recommendations.
- A $1.2 billion civil settlement was reached with about 30 defendants, but families and advocates continue to seek criminal accountability and justice for the tragedy.
- Survivors and families are coping with long-term trauma and loss, with some focusing on healing and moving forward, while others push for memorials and systemic changes to prevent future disasters.
