Federal investigators of Surfside condo collapse begin drilling for answers

The federal investigation into the deadly collapse of a Florida beachfront condominium building is entering a new phase that involves cutting and drilling into concrete and steel to determine what role they played in the disaster, officials say.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology says in a news release that what’s known as invasive testing will begin soon as investigators test samples from materials collected at the collapsed Champlain Towers South site.

“This is an important step in the investigation, one we are able to take only after months of careful investigation and preparation,” says Glenn Bell, co-leader of the investigation.

The building in Surfside, Florida, collapsed without warning early on June 24, 2021, leaving 98 people dead, including many members of the Jewish community. Legal settlements of more than $1 billion have been reached for families of victims and owners of the 136 units, with a key court hearing on approval set next Thursday in Miami.