Two people may be trapped inside the six-story apartment that partially collapsed Sunday afternoon in Davenport, Iowa.
At a press conference Tuesday updating the rescue efforts, Mayor Mike Matson reported that as of noon today, efforts are continuing despite dangerous structural conditions.
Additionally, three people remain unaccounted for.
At the moment, the plan to tear down the structure remains under evaluation.
This Monday afternoon, rescuers pulled Lisa Brooks, 52, from the rubble.
The female is unharmed despite the seriousness of the incident.
“This is an active incident that is very fluid and constantly evolving,” Matson described today.
The official added that he did not know how this ninth survivor was not found earlier.
“But please understand, the City and I are committed to finding out why,” the mayor said.
Brooks was helped after more than 24 hours in which she would have remained under a sofa on an upper floor of the six-story structure.
The woman’s relatives reported that she heard and felt how the building began to collapse and her immediate reaction was to get under the furniture and not move.
Some residents protested yesterday against the attempt to demolish the building at 324 Main Street, arguing that other residents might be trapped inside.
“The City is continually evaluating the timing of the demolition,” a City update on its website stated this morning.
“A demolition is a multi-phase process that includes permitting and placement of equipment that will begin today,” they added. “The timing of the physical demolition of the property continues to be evaluated,” they reaffirmed.
The building remains structurally unsafe and in imminent danger of collapse.
Authorities have not yet established the cause of the collapse, but the structure’s owner had permits for repairs to the part. Following the incident, a demolition order was issued to the person.