Building collapse in Iowa.Photo:AP Photo/Erin Hooley
AP Photo/Erin Hooley
Three people remain missing after an apartment building in Iowaunexpectedly collapsedon Sunday afternoon.
Davenport Fire Chief Mike Carlsten said during a Tuesdaypress conferencethat seven people were rescued within the first hour of the collapse and 12 were escorted out of the building. Additionally, more than 150 first responders, medical and city staff rushed to the scene within that time.
Officials were also able to rescue a number of animals that were taken to the local Humane Society on Tuesday.
Officials added that crews “continued to search for human activity and none was detected,” per theAssociated Press.
Missing persons from building collapse.Davenport Police Department
Davenport Police Department
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Although city officials have deemed that the building is in imminent danger of further collapse, plans to demolish the remaining structure to secure the area’s safety have been met with protests, as some argue that the city should stop their demolition plans amid the search for survivors.
Speaking out at a press conference on Tuesday, the family of Ryan Hitchcock, who remains missing, argued that “pushing any delays is one more day he’s under there, going through all this.”
“Ryan wouldn’t want anyone else to put their lives at risk, too,” said cousin Amy Anderson, who added it’s likely he “has not survived.”
Anderson said city officials promised to be sensitive about the remains under the rubble.
“We do not want a full-on demolition or a full-on delay for that building to collapse more and put more rubble on top of them,” she said. “I plead with our community just to let the city do their job. It’s an absolute no-win situation. This is the best plan of attack.”
source: people.com
