Minute by minute: building collapse in Miami; victims, rescue operations and what we know about the tragedy

President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden traveled to Miami today.

Biden, whose empathy in the midst of loss is one of his main political traits, is ready to comfort families who are facing the excruciating search for their loved ones inside a seaside building that suddenly collapsed a week ago.

The devastating structural failure, which has so far resulted in 18 confirmed deaths with another 145 people still missing, could become the unintentional collapse of the deadliest building in American history. The tragedy has raised new questions about the safety of skyscrapers that stretch for miles along the South Florida coastline, along with similar developments across the country.

The president is awaiting the findings of a team of six federal scientists and engineers gathering information on the ground. He hopes to use the results of his research to determine how infrastructure, such as residential towers, can best be strengthened against catastrophic failure, according to officials.

But before that, there are grieving families to comfort and exhausted rescue personnel to thank, a presidential responsibility Biden takes as seriously as any other.

“There is nothing worse than having to wait and wonder what happened,” Biden said last week. «This is a difficult, difficult time. There are so many people waiting. ‘They are alive? Will they – what will happen? ‘ And that is why our heart is with them ».

The White House released details of the Bidens’ schedule for the day. This is what they have planned:

At 10:05 am ET, they will receive a briefing.
At 11 am, they will thank the lifeguards.
At 12:30 pm, they will hold a closed press meeting with family members.
Finally, at 3:50 pm, Biden will deliver a statement.
The president and the first lady will return to the White House later tonight.