TAMPA -- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says he's hoping for the best but "bracing for some bad news" after the partial collapse of an apartment building in Surfside early Thursday morning.
The governor spoke at the signing ceremonies for bills relating to apprenticeship programs at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa. He praised first responders for risking their lives, calling the collapse "a really, really tragic situation", and said rescuers' willingness to enter the crumbling building saved lives.
DeSantis said that two agency heads... Secretary Kevin Thibault with the Florida Department of Transportation and Director Kevin Guthrie with the Florida Division of Emergency Management... are already on the scene at the collapse of a 12-story building on Collins Avenue. He plans to go to the site later today (Thursday).
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