Death toll in Surfside building collapse increases to 12

Twelve people are now confirmed dead in the Surfside, Fla., condo building collapse, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced Tuesday evening.

“Since our last briefing, very unfortunately, one additional victim was recovered,” Cava said during a press conference.

The number of people still unaccounted for has officially been updated to 149.

“These numbers are very fluid and they continue to change,” Cava told reporters during the briefing. 

An official audit is being performed to review the list of people who remain unaccounted for to ensure removal of possible duplicates, Cava added.

Various factors have contributed to potential duplicates, including people using both English and Hebrew names to call in about their loved ones, and people providing partial information including only an apartment number or name. 

“We’re getting all kinds of information from all these different sources,” Cava explained.

The updated death toll comes just one day after it was announced that at least 11 were killed in the incident.

Rescuers continue to work around the clock in hopes of finding additional people on the scene, however inclement weather and falling debris are hindering search efforts.

“We are continuing to make headway in our search,” Cava vowed.

President Biden and first lady Jill Biden will visit Surfside on Thursday to pay their respects.

“They want to thank the heroic first responders, search and rescue teams, and everyone who has been working tirelessly around the clock and meet with the families who have been forced to endure this terrible tragedy,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday.