Surfside Collapse Began 3 Weeks Early, Killing 98 After Pool-Deck Connections Failed
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Jun 23
Surfside Collapse Began 3 Weeks Early, Killing 98 After Pool-Deck Connections Failed
3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Jun 23
Summary
Federal investigators said the Champlain Towers South collapse started in early June 2021—about three weeks before the June 24 disaster—when two connections between garage columns and the pool deck failed.
NIST said those initial failures let cracks spread and loads redistribute across the pool deck over the next three weeks, culminating in the catastrophic collapse that killed 98 people.
The finding builds on earlier evidence that the pool deck’s construction deviated from design requirements and lacked enough reinforcing bars over vertical columns.
Records had already shown the pool deck and garage ceiling needed repairs as early as 1996, while a 2018 survey found major structural slab damage and failed waterproofing.
Nearly five years after the partial collapse in Surfside, Florida, NIST said it will now turn to drafting its final report.
With building oversight broken for decades, can new laws alone prevent the next condo collapse?
We have tech to predict building failures. Why are we still waiting for disaster to strike?
The 2026 NIST Report on Champlain Towers South: Causes, Consequences, and Lessons for Building Safety
Overview
In June 2026, NIST released its comprehensive technical findings on the Surfside condominium collapse, following years of diligent work by its investigative team. The National Construction Safety Team led a rigorous and thorough investigation, aiming to achieve the most accurate understanding of the disaster. Their final report details the origin and progression of the collapse, key conclusions, and factors ruled out as primary causes, all supported by robust, evidence-based analysis. This process reflects NIST’s commitment to technical excellence and public safety, ensuring that the findings are both reliable and actionable for future improvements in building standards.