Families Recall Night of Surfside Tragedy Killed 98 and Call Investigation into What Happened ‘Nothing but an Insult’ (Exclusive)

**Five Years On: Surfside Condo Collapse Families Still Grieving**

Five years have passed since the tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Florida, which took place in the early hours of 24 June 2021. The disaster, which resulted in the deaths of 98 residents, has left families grappling with their profound loss as the memories of loved ones linger in their hearts.

Martin Langesfeld, who lost his sister Nicky and brother-in-law Lewis Sadovnic, expressed the enduring pain that haunts them. “That land is tainted forever,” he remarked, highlighting the emotional weight carried by the families affected by the tragedy. Despite the passage of time, many are still trying to navigate their grief while seeking accountability for the calamity.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced critical findings on 22 June 2022, revealing that key structural weaknesses had developed weeks before the collapse. Investigators determined that failures in two connections between the garage columns and the pool deck began three weeks prior, setting off a chain reaction that ultimately led to the horrific disaster. Langesfeld, alongside other families, voiced frustration over the findings, calling the investigation “nothing but an insult” to those who lost loved ones.

For Michael Noriega, the emotional impact remains especially raw as he reminisces about his late grandmother, Hilda, who was 92 at the time of the collapse. “Life has not been the same without my grandmother,” he lamented. Known as the matriarch of the family, her absence has changed cherished family gatherings forever. His memories of receiving the fateful call about the situation in Surfside remain vivid, sending him racing to the scene in search of hope.

Noriega’s grandmother was not found until the sixth day of searching, making her the oldest victim recovered. Reflecting on her character, Noriega described her as “pure love” and expressed his belief that she would have selflessly traded places with others to spare them the tragedy. The sense of loss felt by those left behind continues to echo throughout their lives.

Langesfeld and his father, Pablo, have taken on the mantle of advocacy, ensuring that the memories of Nicky and Lewis, along with the other victims, are not forgotten. Nicky and Lewis’s story speaks to a future full of promise; they had plans for a wedding, and their engagement had taken place right in front of their home. Tragically, their dreams were cut short by a disaster that should never have occurred, prompting the family to seek justice for their loss.

The broader community is attempting to process the implications of NIST’s findings, which have sparked discussions about accountability for those who regulated the building’s construction and safety. Mayor Shlomo Danzinger indicated that the results confirm long-held suspicions about the structural integrity of the building, urging for a focus on learning from this tragedy to prevent future occurrences.

Amidst the ongoing grief, there are developments surrounding the site of the collapse. Damac Properties, the real estate firm behind plans for an “ultra-luxury boutique oceanfront condominium” on the site, has yet to sell any of the new units. Many family members are sceptical about the feasibility of new developments in a place marked by such tragic memories. “People don’t forget,” Langesfeld reiterated, insisting that a memorial is the only fitting tribute to the lives lost.

Plans for a permanent memorial across from the site have not yet moved forward, leaving many families concerned about the handling of both their loved ones’ memories and the site itself. Noriega reflects on the need to balance remembrance with a practical way forward, stating that while a memorial is important, the site has now transitioned to private property.

As the anniversary of the collapse approaches, the families remain fierce in their advocacy, seeking justice and accountability. The findings from NIST, while essential, bring little comfort to those who continue to mourn. For them, every day is marked by remembrance, and the fight for accountability is a testament to their love for those they lost.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of this harrowing event, residents, families, and advocates continue to serve as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of honouring those who were lost.