Lakewood Couple Among Missing In Florida Condo Collapse ID'd

SURFSIDE, FL — A Lakewood couple and the woman's father are among the more than 150 people said to be missing in the collapse of part of a condominium building near Miami, a New Jersey congressman said Friday.

Benny and Malky Weisz of Lakewood, and Malky’s father Harry Rosenberg, were identified by Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey's 4th District as three people among the 159 who remained unaccounted for following the collapse at the 12-story oceanfront Champlain Towers South Condo at 8777 Collins Ave.

Four people have been confirmed dead as a result of the collapse, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said Friday.

The Times of Israel reported that the Israeli consulate in Miami has offered the assistance of an Israeli search-and-rescue team to join firefighters who are picking through the rubble for people who might still be alive. There are 35 people who are Jewish, some of whom have connections to Israel, among the 159 people who are missing, the report said.

Smith urged Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Marco Rubio to accept the offer of help with the search.

"We pray that Benny and Malky Weisz of Lakewood, and Malky’s father Harry Rosenberg—and all those who remain missing—are found and rescued after the catastrophic collapse of their condo building in Florida early yesterday," Smith said, adding he was "nurturing the hope that the expertise, tenacity and bravery of rescue workers will result in finding them and others presumed trapped in debris."

"This is a rescue operation not recovery," Smith said. "People have survived for days under rubble."

The Weiszes had been vacationing in Florida, a friend of the family told NBC 4 in New York.

"I have spoken to Harry, Benny and Malky’s friend Eli Levitan who is on the scene at the condo site to convey my deep concern," Smith said. "He said more needs to be done. I have reached out to Governor DeSantis’ chief of staff and Senator Marco Rubio to urge that an apparent offer by an Israeli search and rescue team be seriously considered and accepted."

Lakewood Mayor Raymond Coles and Police Chief Gregory Meyer offered prayers for the couple, The Lakewood Scoop reported.

Officials said 37 people have been pulled from the devastation and 120 have been accounted for. Searchers were continuing to sift through the rubble Friday in hopes of finding people still alive. Read more: FL Condo Collapse: 4 Dead, 159 Missing As Search Continues

With reporting by Tiffany Razzano

Note: This article has been updated with the names of the couple who are missing and a statement from Rep. Chris Smith.

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