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Grand jury should investigate Surfside collapse

We have no idea — yet — if the “major error” discovered in the construction of the Champlain Towers South condominium contributed to the building’s partial collapse Thursday morning.

We do know, however, that an engineer’s 2018 disclosure, this crumpled building and the deaths of its residents must be the catalyst for changes that ensure this never happens again.

In addition to the immediate, on-the-ground investigations, this tragedy also calls for a Miami-Dade grand jury investigation. Grand juries can decide to investigate matters of great public concern, and they routinely issue reports on broad topics.

Ultimately, it’s up to the jurors to decide if they will investigate, though we can’t imagine a scenario in the case of Champlain in which they wouldn’t.

Already, condo dwellers throughout Greater Miami, and beyond, are demanding to know if their own buildings are safe.

As reported by the Miami Herald’s Sarah Blaskey and Aaron Leibowitz, an engineer’s report in 2018 highlighted a “major error” dating back to the building’s beginnings where the lack of proper drainage on the pool deck caused “major structural damage.” Surfside officials released the report late Friday night.

It is not yet known if this issue played a role in the building’s collapse. But it represents a turning point where grief over the collapse likely will start to turn into outrage.

Miamians are relatively accustomed to disasters of the natural kind, as every hurricane season reminds us. It’s a risk we accept when we choose to live in Florida.

But the collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside was no Category 5 storm, no calculated risk. The people in that building didn’t know they could die in their beds because their 12-story condo might fall down around them, without warning, in the middle of the night.

A recording of the collapse, caught on another building’s video camera, shows one part of the building crumbling, followed by a second section moments later. The entire, horrifying event is mere seconds long. If the number of missing people is any indication, this could become the worst building collapse in Florida.

There’s a gaping wound in Miami’s psyche now, shaped like the shorn-away side of Champlain Towers South. Before the blame-shifting begins, as it no doubt will, let’s honor the people who lost their lives Thursday with a full, fact-finding investigation and a list of recommendations.

This horror must never be repeated.

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