Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz told CNN's Chris Cuomo that the investigation into how and why the Champlain Towers South collapsed is necessary for the community to move forward.
As rescue crews continue to search for people in the rubble, the congresswoman said the community is waiting for answers and staying hopeful.
"The families are understandably frustrated and frightened and hopeful. They are wondering why is this taking so long," she said.
She said that she's explained to families that rescue operations are ongoing and even if people aren't seen from above, they are working below.
Wasserman Schultz said she's been grateful to see local, state and federal resources all working together in this tragedy.
"We're all working together. We're all rowing in the same direction and we're trying to make sure that we lift this community up and can help them take the steps necessary to climb out of this," she said.
The congresswoman pointed out that she is concerned that they will need to look into other buildings. "This building isn't unusual," she said, adding that the whole road is dotted with buildings just like it.
"We all have to hope it's a one off but I don't know that it is. We don't know. Lots of these buildings are built the same way," she said. "We have to get to the bottom of this."
Wasserman Schultz pointed out that the community is very close and is leaning on each other for support right now.
"This community is so close, so tight-knit," she said. "It is so incredibly hard. The faith community, all faiths have been here."
MattTheFlash on June 25th, 2021 at 15:35 UTC »
For comparison, one of the most well-known structural failures resulting in massive loss of life was the Hyatt Regency Hotel Walkway Collapse in 1981. That was 114 deaths. That's how big this is.
cheesepuff311 on June 25th, 2021 at 14:30 UTC »
The official death count has risen to four. Although I’m sure it’ll be much higher when this is all over with. I hope they are still able to find survivors.
BrianThePainter on June 25th, 2021 at 13:24 UTC »
This is horrific. People just chilling in their place- suddenly falling hundreds of feet and crushed in tons of rubble. In a situation like this, would it be better to be living higher up in the building or in the middle? I have to imagine it’s probably just luck. If you’re at the top, you fall a lot further but have less debris coming down onto you. I really hope they’re able to pull some people out of there.