© 2024 WVIK
Listen at 90.3 FM and 98.3 FM in the Quad Cities, 95.9 FM in Dubuque, or on the WVIK app!
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Davenport Collapse: 3 Missing, Search & Recovery Operations Continue

Three tenants of The Davenport apartments who died May 28th when part of the back of the building collapsed. (file)
submitted
/
City of Davenport
Three tenants of The Davenport apartments who died May 28th when part of the back of the building collapsed. (file)

Davenport Mayor Mike Matson can't say yet whether human remains have been found in the partially collapsed building. Three men who lived there have not been located and are presumed dead.

Forty-five members of an Iowa Task Force One urban search and rescue team arrived at the disaster site on Thursday. And before sunset, they concluded a comprehensive search for survivors and bodies.

Iowa Task Force 1, Urban Search & Rescue Chief, Rick Halleran
Michelle O'Neill
/
WVIK News
Iowa Task Force 1, Urban Search & Rescue Chief, Rick Halleran

Chief Rick Halleran, head of the team, says K9s at the site barked to alert their handlers during Thursday's search. But the handlers then have to figure out the reason.

When a reporter asked if human remains have been found, Mayor Matson said, "We can't disclose that yet."

In general after a disaster, officials usually have to wait to verify the identities of human remains, and notify families before releasing names to the public.

Tarps have been placed over the fence in front of City Hall, and Nathalia Rivera of Moline, who was standing on a chair, took this photo of the site where crews are working at the partially collapsed Davenport building.
Nathalia Rivera, Moline, IL
/
WVIK News
Tarps have been placed over the fence in front of City Hall, and Nathalia Rivera of Moline, who was standing on a chair, took this photo of the site where crews are working at the partially collapsed Davenport building.

Officially, Michelle's title for 28 years was WVIK News Editor. She did everything there is to do in the newsroom and whatever was needed around the radio station. She also served as Acting News Director from September 2023 - January 2024.
Related Content