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Sunday’s demolition of Florida’s partially collapsed condo building has now given rescue workers access to crucial new sections of the rubble — including bedrooms where victims were believed to be sleeping when the tower fell.

“We will be able to access every part of the pile, which they hadn’t been able to do up to this point,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis insisted Monday.

“I think it’s going to move the pace. I think the momentum is very strong,” he said of the rescue effort

Officials said the controlled demolition of the unstable remaining portion of Champlain Tower South Condo in Surfside was necessary for workers to continue to sift through the rubble safely and as Tropical Storm Elsa is set to bear down on the state.


  The controlled demolition of the partially collapsed Champlain Tower South Condo in Surfside, Florida on July 4, 2021. REUTERS/Marco Bello The controlled demolition of the partially collapsed Champlain Tower South Condo in Surfside, Florida on July 4, 2021. REUTERS/Marco Bello

  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that the controlled demolition will aid the search and rescue effort in Surfside. Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that the controlled demolition will aid the search and rescue effort in Surfside. Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Portions of the 12-story building collapsed shortly before 1:30 a.m. on June 24, trapping nearly 150 people under tons of concrete.

So far, 27 people have been confirmed dead at the site, with another 121 still missing.

On Thursday, first responders were pulled off the dig site for about 15 hours when the remaining structure shifted, officials said. Crews were later allowed to return to “safe” parts of the pile away from the structure.


  Search and rescue crews working in the rubble pile at the site of the building collapse in Surfside, Florida on July 5, 2021. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images Search and rescue crews working in the rubble pile at the site of the building collapse in Surfside, Florida on July 5, 2021. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images

  The remains of a person who died in the collapse being put onto a stretcher by search and rescue workers on July 2, 2021. AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File The remains of a person who died in the collapse being put onto a stretcher by search and rescue workers on July 2, 2021. AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File

But work halted again Sunday to prepare for the demolition, with officials fearful that foul weather from the approaching Elsa could topple the building.

With the building out of the way, officials said workers can now dig at the site of several master bedrooms where victims were believed to be sleeping when the building fell.


  The site of the partially collapsed Surfside condo seen on June 27, 2021. REUTERS/Marco Bello The site of the partially collapsed Surfside condo seen on June 27, 2021. REUTERS/Marco Bello

  The site seen on July 5, after the controlled demolition of the condo building. Joe Raedle/Getty Images The site seen on July 5, after the controlled demolition of the condo building. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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