Surfside marks two years since deadly condo collapse
MIAMI - Saturday marks two years since the Champlain Towers South collapsed in Surfside, killing 98 people.
Now, their families are fighting to keep their memory alive.
Martin Langesfeld lost his sister Nikki and her husband Luis.
"It's hard to think of them as memories now. You know she was 26 years old when she passed. She was my older sister. And her husband became my older brother. Just beautiful, hard-working people, they met in college, ready to start their lives together. She was an attorney, who, since she was four years old knew she wanted to be an attorney and fight for justice to the end," said Langesfeld.
Now Langesfild has joined that fight for justice.
He and the other families of the victims are demanding answers as to what happened here two years ago. They also want a memorial on the site where the condo collapsed.
Langesfeld said they simply want respect from the developer and the Town of Surfside to honor their loved ones.
A remembrance event will be held on Saturday, June 24 at 10 a.m.
The event will take place on the green lawn at Veterans Park located at 8750 Collins Avenue, directly across from the site of the former building.
Organizers said family members, survivors, local Elected Officials and community members will be on hand for the second consecutive year to pay their respects to all those affected.
"June 24, 2021 marked a devastating tragedy that profoundly impacted countless lives. From the grieving families who lost their loved ones that fateful night to the individuals whose lives were forever altered, the effects were far-reaching. Our Remembrance Ceremony serves as a poignant occasion to honor and cherish the memory of those we have lost and acknowledge the profound impact on all those affected. It also presents an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable display of compassion and assistance demonstrated by numerous individuals during this challenging time, highlighting the innate kindness and unity that resides within us as human beings," said Surfside Mayor Shlomo Danzinger.
In addition to the 10 a.m. event, there will be a symbolic lighting of the torch at 1:22 a.m. and an exhibition display featuring items from the Wall of Hope Memorial from 9 a.m. to noon.