‘Waiting for a miracle’: Families wait for news of family who live in Surfside condo

Most families waiting for news at the reunification center in Surfside are hopeful, but every minute that passes without information the fear gets stronger.

Sergio Barth is missing three family members. He hasn’t heard from his brother Luis and his niece and sister-in-law.

“When I saw the building I just, I just realized they were inside,” Barth said. “He’s the only brother I have.:

Barth said his brother is like a father to him.

“I lost my father 20 years ago,” Barth said.

Batina Obias is missing an aunt and uncle.

“When I saw it I screamed and cried because I know they were gone,” Obias said.

Obias said her uncle and aunt lived on the tenth floor of the 12-story Champlain Towers South. Her aunt, Maria, is an artist. Her uncle is an employee for the United Nations.

“She was my second mom,” Obais said of Maria. “I lived with her for 10 years.”

Obias said: “Believe in God and please every time you see your aunt, your mom, your father, hug them like it’s the last day of their life.”