Death toll hits 11 in Florida condo collapse as rescue teams search through rubble

Category: Top Stories

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. remains / rɪˈmeɪnz / (n.) – the dead body of a person or animal
    Example:

    The hikers found the remains of a deer that might’ve been attacked by a bear.


  2. rubble / ˈrʌb əl / (n.) – broken pieces such as stones or bricks that are left when a wall or building is destroyed
    Example:

    The old house was just a pile of rubble after the earthquake.


  3. hamper / ˈhæm pər / (v.) – to make it hard for someone to achieve progress or success
    Example:

    Laziness hampers growth.


  4. heap / hip / (n.) – a messy pile of things
    Example:

    I cleared out my closet yesterday, and now all my clothes are in a heap on the floor.


  5. give way / gɪv weɪ / (idiom) – to fall down or fail in some other way
    Example:

    The roof of the house gave way due to heavy snow.


Article

Read the text below.

Search-and-rescue teams pulled two more sets of remains from the concrete-and-steel rubble of a partially collapsed Florida condominium tower June 28, bringing the death toll to 11, with 150 people still listed as missing four days after the disaster.


Pouring rain and slabs of cement hampered efforts to pick through debris left from the unexplained cave-in of nearly half of the 12-story, 156-unit building, in what may end up as the deadliest unintentional structural failure in U.S. history.


No survivors have been pulled from the oceanfront ruins of the Champlain Towers South condo in the town of Surfside, near Miami, since the first hours after the building abruptly crumpled into a heap early on June 24 as residents slept.


What caused the 40-year-old high-rise to give way is still under investigation, but initial attention focused on structural deficiencies identified in an engineer’s report three years ago. The report found serious concrete deterioration in the underground parking garage and major damage in a slab beneath the pool deck. (Reuters)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • What caused the building to give way is still under investigation, but initial attention focused on structural deficiencies identified in an engineer’s report three years ago. When problems were found at that time, what should the building management have done (ex. immediately started repairs, asked residents to temporarily leave)? Do you think the management should go to jail for not taking more action? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • The Florida condominium was not the only collapsed building to make the news in recent months. Do you trust the safety of most buildings in your country? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • The condominium was about 40 years old. What do you consider an older building (ex. 100 years old, 30 years old)? What are the pros and cons to living in older buildings (ex. cheaper rent/price, not so safe)? Why? Discuss.
  • Do you think this incident will discourage people from living in condominiums and other high-rise buildings? Why or why not? Discuss.