Israeli military sends rescue team after Miami building collapse

The Israeli military has sent a rescue team to the Miami area following a devastating building collapse there. 

A condo tower partially collapsed on Thursday just north of the US city of Miami Beach in the southeastern state of Florida. Ten people are confirmed dead so far and more than 150 are unaccounted for. The search for the missing underneath the rubble prompted a massive search and rescue effort, according to the Miami Herald news outlet. 

An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) team arrived at the scene on Sunday sporting hard hats, flashlights and other related gear, the IDF said in a tweet. 

The Israeli delegation consisted of an IDF rescue unit as well as Israeli engineering and social care experts. The Israeli Consulate in Miami is also assisting. Their goals include supporting local rescue crews, mapping out the destruction site and helping the local Jewish community identify victims and survivors, Israel’s acting consul general in New York Israel Nitzan said on Twitter. 

Rescuers also came from Mexico to assist during the tragedy. Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida tweeted on Sunday that he was “incredibly grateful” to both countries for their assistance. The senator also met with an IDF soldier at the scene.