beach
Champlain Towers South collapse survivor "eternally grateful" for those who saved her life
By CBS Miami at CBS4 Miami
· June 24, 2026
· 1 min read
A ceremony was held early Wednesday morning to mark five years since the Champlain Towers South collapse in Surfside, and a survivor who was pulled from the rubble spoke about how she is eternally grateful for those who saved her life. CBS News Miami 's Marybel Rodriguez has more.
Key takeaway CBS News Miami's Marybel Rodriguez has more.
Why this matters in The Miami
The ceremony marking five years since the Champlain Towers South collapse in Surfside is a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of coastal building failures in Miami-Dade County. As the region continues to grapple with the risks of sea-level rise and flooding, the Champlain Towers South disaster serves as a stark warning of the potential dangers of neglecting infrastructure and safety protocols in coastal communities like Miami Beach and Surfside. The fact that a survivor was able to express gratitude for the rescue efforts underscores the critical role that emergency responders play in saving lives during disasters. The incident also highlights the need for continued vigilance and investment in building safety and emergency preparedness measures to mitigate the impact of future disasters in Miami's coastal neighborhoods, where the threat of hurricanes and flooding is ever-present.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS4 Miami . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS4 Miami . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: beach ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: CBS4 Miami ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A ceremony was held early Wednesday morning to mark five years since the Champlain Towers South collapse in Surfside, and a survivor who was pulled from the rubble spoke about how she is eternally grateful for those who saved her life. CBS News Miami's Marybel Rodriguez has more.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by CBS4 Miami and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CBS Miami at CBS4 Miami. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more beach coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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