Death toll rises to 9 in Miami landslide; 152 are missing

Rescue teams continue work among the rubble of the collapsed Champlain Towers; the death toll is expected to increase, but family members remain hopeful that more people will be found alive

Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images

The number of people killed in the collapse of the residential building Champlain Towers increased to nine, according to an update from local authorities, who continue to search for 152 missing persons.

Relatives of several of the disappeared people continue to gather in an improvised memorial ever closer to the rubble, local media report, as they seek an answer to the causes, but pray and shout the names of their loved ones.

So far only four bodies have been identified : Antonio Lozano, from 83 years; Gladys Lozano, from 79; Manuel LaFont, from 54, and Stacie Fang , from reported. The fifth victim has not been identified, while the identity of Fang was confirmed by authorities to CNN .

The bodies could be identified with the help of DNA collected from relatives. The local government continues to collect genetic data in order to identify the “human remains” that are still found in the disaster.

Among the details of the body recovery it is indicated that Antonio and Gladys Lozano were recovered from the apartment 903. Antonio’s was recovered on 24 June and Gladys the following day, the Police said.