The Phoenix Fire Department has confirmed that the body of Oswaldo Montoya, a 22-year-old worker who went missing after a warehouse collapse, has been found. Montoya had been unaccounted for since Tuesday when severe storms led to the collapse of the warehouse where he was employed.
The tragic turn of events has deeply affected Montoya’s family. His older sister, Judith Montoya, shared the profound impact the incident has had on them. “Time is running out, and he’s running out of time,” Judith said, her voice filled with anguish.
Oswaldo Montoya, who was a father to a 2-week-old baby and had been with the company for about a year, was the only worker who did not escape the collapse. On Tuesday night, the severe weather conditions caused the north side of the warehouse roof to collapse, trapping Montoya inside.
“He’s very loving. He’s very caring. He cares for his family, he cares for his sisters, for his mom, for his dad, just like we care for him and we’re here for him, just waiting for him,” Judith described, reflecting the family’s deep sense of loss and helplessness.
Rescue efforts have been arduous. For much of Friday, crews employed a large crane and chainsaws to remove heavy blocks of concrete. Phoenix Fire Captain Todd Keller reported that over 40,000 pounds of concrete had been removed in the search for Montoya. “Even when we remove these concrete slabs, we still have to dig through that stuff,” Keller explained. “That’s why we have the urban search and rescue dogs. They’re working in 10-minute cycles, and we have a total of eight dogs working just as hard as our firefighters.”
The Montoya family has expressed frustration over what they perceive as a slow rescue operation, demanding greater urgency. “It’s still the same. We just want our brother out right now, where is he? You know, he’s not here. He’s not here,” Judith said, echoing their desperate pleas.
Keller reassured the family and the public that the Phoenix Fire Department is committed to providing support and conducting a thorough search. “We will exhaust our resources to tend to their needs,” he stated. “We are praying for a miracle right now. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. Our fire chief is on scene, along with our other executive staff. This is a very important call for us, and everybody is involved all the way from the top to the bottom.”
Despite the grim outcome, the operation remains officially a rescue mission. Efforts continue in the hope of finding Montoya alive beneath the rubble. The department remains vigilant, concerned about the potential for further collapse, which could exacerbate the already dire situation.