The first identified victim of the deadly Miami condo collapse is a New York mother of a young boy.
With the help of a passerby, 54-year-old Stacie Fang was pulled from underneath the rubble after the Champlain Towers South in Surfside had collapsed.
According to the early reports, Fang was rushed to the hospital where she succumbed to her injuries shortly after being pulled from the collapsed building.
Meanwhile, Fang’s son, Jonah Handler, survived the incident thanks to his bed frame which protected him from the falling debris.
The mother and her son were rescued by a team of first responders and a dog walker who was passing by when the condominium, which had reportedly been sinking since the 90s, collapsed.
“There are no words to describe the tragic loss of our beloved Stacie. The members of the Fang and Handler family would like to express our deepest appreciation for the outpouring of sympathy, compassion and support we have received,” the mom’s family said in a statement after their tragic loss.
“The many heartfelt words of encouragement and love have served as a much needed source of strength during this devastating time. On behalf of Stacie’s son, Jonah, we ask you now to please respect our privacy to grieve and to try to help each other heal.”
As of this writing, rescue teams continue to sweep through the rubble in search of survivors. The death toll is rising whereas at least four people, including Fang, are dead as a result of the collapse.
More than a day and a half after the building collapsed, rescuers are still searching for over 150 missing people.
Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during these challenging times.
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