DORAL, Fla. – Families mourn the three men who were killed when a five-story parking garage that was under construction at Miami-Dade College West collapsed on Wednesday morning.
Carlos Hurtado De Mendoza, 48, and Jose Calderon, 60, were found in the debris on Wednesday. Samuel Perez, 53, had both of his legs amputated when he was pulled from the rubble early Thursday but later died at the hospital.
Marisol Calderon, the wife of Jose Calderon, said they moved to Miami-Dade County from Peru more than 20 years ago.
"Worker and a good father. Good husband," Marisol Calderon said through tears.
Marisol Calderon said the couple had two children -- a 22-tear-old daughter and a 15-year-old son.
The family of De Mendoza asked to grieve privately.
A fourth person, identified by his family as Robert Budhoo, an electrical worker from Tamarac, is still missing. The mission to find him is being considered a recovery operation.
"We feel that, at this time, the chance of survival of anyone still left in that debris is minimal," said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Capt. Louie Fernandez. "We never want to give up. We never want to end the search but, at this time, we are moving forward with our recovery operation."
The family of Budhoo is holding out hope.
"Great man, hard worker. Great father, grandfather. The kids are inside crying for him right now," said Stacy Wong, Budhoo's niece.
The deaths were also taking a toll on the rescuers.
"It is very hard, in this case where you are talking to someone, trying to keep them, give them hope, trying to keep up their spirits trying to rescue," said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Lt. Arnold Piedrahita. "It's very hard on us. It's not something we really talk about but it's hard. It takes a toll on us."