Federal Report on Surfside Collapse Delayed Until 2026

The investigation into the 2021 Champlain Towers South tragedy faces setbacks due to technical challenges and document access issues.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) now expects to release a draft report in 2026, a year later than initially projected.
Delays are attributed to difficulties in testing materials, obtaining local government records, and interviewing witnesses.
Over $33 million has been spent on the investigation, which includes testing more than 1,000 concrete and rebar samples.
Investigators have faced significant challenges, such as recreating and testing key structural elements to understand the collapse.
The findings will influence building codes and construction practices, with potential global implications for high-rise safety.