Search for Survivors Ends in Israel
J E R U S A L E M, May 26 -- Rescuers in Israel have ended their search for survivors in a collapsed wedding reception hall and gathered for a memorial service to honor the hundreds who were injured and the dozens who died when the building collapsed.
Under the arc lights once used to illuminate the search site an din front of the gaping hole in the building, members of the police, military and Israeli search and rescue team gathered Saturday evening.
The search was called off earlier in the day. Israeli officials said everyone missing has been accounted for and it had become too risky to continue the search. Two nights earlier, the dance floor of the reception hall collapsed as a wedding was being celebrated.
"As of now, on the basis of a thorough investigation by theIsrael police, there are no more people in the building," said Maj. Gen. Gabi Ofir, the head of the rescue team, according to The Associated Press.
The Associated Press reports that police have arrested four owners of the building.
The sudden floor collapse caused hundreds of wedding partiers to plunge through two unoccupied floors into the bottom floor, a parking garage. At least 24 people were killed and more than 300 others injured.
After four people were pulled out alive on Friday, officials said they would continue the search for another three to four days.
American Michael Yinhar, a former firefighter in North Carolina who now works with the Israeli search and rescue team, said the rescuers were very aware the building could collapse again at any moment.
"We're working under the assumption that we'll be okay," he said. "We also know that there's safe checks all around us constantly monitoring the columns and the roof. The roof is the big problem."
Arrests and Investigation
Late Friday, two contractors and an engineer were arrested, and investigators were also questioning the owners of the Versailles hall, where the floor of the top story gave way.
The Associated Press reported that nine people were in custody — including the four owners of the building, the contractor responsible for the originalconstruction in 1986, the owner of a company that carried outrenovations three months ago and an engineer.
Popular Reads
ABC News Live