Houston: More than 150 people, including an Indian-origin couple and their one-year-old daughter, are missing after a portion of a 12-story residential building collapsed in the US state of Florida on Thursday. The media reported about this on Monday.
Soon after the collapse of 55 houses of the 136-house building, the search and rescue teams were expedited to clear the debris and search operation, officials said. Nine people have been confirmed dead in the incident. Vishal Patel (42), his wife Bhavna Patel (38) and their one-year-old daughter Aishani Patel are also suspected to be among the missing. Vishal’s niece Sarina told that Bhavna Patel is four months pregnant.
Sarina told that the last time she spoke to the family was on the occasion of Father’s Day. He told that he was at home at the time of the incident. “Tried several times to call them, send them messages but got no response,” he said. According to British media, Bhavna is a British and American citizen.
Uma Kannayan, a family friend of Patel’s family, told British Broadcasting India (BBC) that they were very friendly and used to participate in the community’s religious activities.
As of Sunday, nine people have been confirmed dead and more than 150 people are still missing, USA Today quoted officials as saying. On June 24, part of a building collapsed in the Champion Tower South condo, about seven miles from Miami Beach, killing nine people and leaving more than 150 people missing.
