911 calls released in Surfside condo collapse; death toll rises to 97

Fearful calls for help were made in the seconds after the Champlain Towers condo collapse in Surfside. For the first time Wednesday, recordings could be heard of people inside and near the condo building collapse.

The calls paint a picture of families scared and trapped in parts of the condo that did not fall the day of the tragedy.

Below are transcriptions of the 911 recordings from the time of the condo collapse:

“There’s people in the rubble yelling.”

Calls for help could be heard from the call recordings.

“There’s people yelling saying they are stuck in the part of the building that collapsed. They keep yelling.”

“I woke up. I heard noise. I couldn’t understand. I looked outside, and I saw patio area started sinking down.”

Many of the callers tried to get to safety because they were stuck inside part of the Champlain Towers that had not collapsed, and they succeeded thanks to dispatchers.

“We can’t find the exit. We are in the stairs. We don’t know which stairs to get out.”

“We are walking outside on the rubble right now.”

Neighbors tried to understand what happened feet away from them.

“There are many stories that went down.”

“There’s a lot of smoke going on. I can’t see the street right now. You have to get here.”

Families hoped rescuers could get their loved ones to safety.

“She’s in her apartment. Can someone get her through the balcony?”

Crews are still working to recover those under the rubble. They are recovering personal belongings of the victims and working to return them to their families.

To hear recordings of the 911 calls, watch the video above. 

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava also confirmed the death toll rose to 97 people Wednesday in day 21 of the search and recovery efforts at the collapse of the Champlain Towers.

This is up from 95 confirmed deaths in the collapse Tuesday.

The mayor also confirmed 90 of those who died have been identified and 88 families notified.

It’s day 21 and our search & recovery efforts continue in Surfside.

The total number of confirmed deaths is now 97 – a staggering, heartbreaking loss of life. 90 have been identified and 88 families notified.

Please continue to keep all those who mourn in your hearts & prayers.

— Daniella Levine Cava (@MayorDaniella) July 15, 2021