The abrupt, deadly collapse of part of the Champlain Towers South apartment building in Surfside, Fla., is prompting new calls for enhanced oceanfront construction safety protocols and inspections.
"Buildings like this do not fall in America," Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett told Fox News’ Tucker Carlson Thursday night. "This is a third-world phenomenon, and it’s shocking."
He said the "disturbing" collapse was reminiscent of the fall of the Twin Towers in New York City following the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, as far as the way the structure crumbled in moments.
Video shows two wings of the 12-story high rise tumbling out of the sky without warning around 1:30 a.m. Thursday.
It’s not immediately clear what caused the collapse, and Miami-Dade officials said they did not expect to have answers any time soon.