Pool Deck and Support Columns Probed as Key Factors in Tragedy that Claimed 98 Lives

The investigation into the tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, has revealed new insights into what likely caused the disaster that led to the deaths of 98 individuals. The building, located near Miami Beach, partially fell in the early hours of 24 June 2021, sparking an extensive search for survivors and later, the recovery of the deceased.

On Thursday, officials from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the same agency that investigated the 9/11 World Trade Center collapse, shared new findings. They are focusing on structural weaknesses in the pool deck and the supporting columns, which appear to have contributed significantly to the tragedy.

Dr Emel Ganapati, co-lead investigator, explained that the pool deck’s initial collapse at around 1am triggered a chain reaction, causing the building to crumble. First, the pool deck fell into the parking garage below, then 11 apartments from the tower above collapsed onto one another, followed by another 10 units.

The report suggests that the pool deck and parking garage did not comply with building codes when the building was constructed in 1981, and no efforts were made to bring them up to code before the collapse. The reinforcing structures, concrete cover, and strength discrepancies between the columns and slabs were all contributing factors to the failure.

Furthermore, the design of the pool deck itself did not meet the required strength specifications, which exacerbated the collapse. While the tower had some structural issues, it was the pool deck that showed the most significant flaws.

Eyewitness accounts have supported the investigators’ findings. One resident described the partial collapse, saying it felt as though the units were being “dragged down,” while another heard metallic noises before witnessing the pool deck fall into the garage. Some residents also recalled seeing parked cars sink into the ground.

Despite these updates, the investigation has not yet reached a final conclusion. According to officials, they are still evaluating the numerous potential factors that contributed to the failure. “We continue to study the causes and events that led to the collapse,” one investigator remarked.

Although they have ruled out the possibility of sinkholes or karstic voids being responsible, there remain several other hypotheses to consider. “What triggered the pool deck’s collapse?” asked Jack Moehle, another investigator. “Was it a failure within the deck, or did something in the tower cause it?”

The final report, which will provide a full account of the causes, is expected in 2025. The investigation has cost $30 million, funded by Congress, as officials work to uncover the full extent of what led to this devastating event.