PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Officials say four people have died in the partial collapse of a beachside condominium building in Surfside, Florida. A couple from Lakewood, in Ocean County, N.J., are among the 159 people still unaccounted for.
Esty Goldberg, who lives next door to the husband and wife, told NBC 10 they left her a key to get their mail before they left for Florida two days ago.
And then the unimaginable happened.
"They are the most wonderful, nicest people around, really," Goldberg said. "It's so sad. I just hope we find them so soon."
The pair have not yet been publicly identified.
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There was a special prayer service held at the Lakewood Synagogue on Thursday, not far from the couple's home. Dozens of concerned neighbors attended. One told NBC 10 they were praying for a good ending, praying for a miracle.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava noted Friday that rescue officials were still searching for survivors.
Raide Jadallah, an assistant Miami-Dade County fire chief, said rescue operations continued throughout the night through windy and rainy conditions. He said that 130 firefighters are working at the site.
Miami-Dade Police Director Freddy Ramirez said they are working with the medical examiner’s office to identify the four victims.
Work had been underway on the condo building's concrete roof at the time of the collapse. It is still too soon to know whether that construction could have played a role in the catastrophe.