Family identifies person still unaccounted for in Vancouver parking lot collapse
Posted July 15, 2022 4:38 pm.
Last Updated July 15, 2022 8:00 pm.
The man unaccounted for from Thursday’s Vancouver parking lot collapse has been identified by family.
Family members contacted CityNews saying that man is Ben Sotelo, who they say is a Mexican-Canadian who worked in the building
A source with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak on this matter has confirmed those details.
A search of the scene is still under way, with Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services saying this remains a rescue operation. It adds eight people were rescued on Thursday, and one person remains unaccounted for.
Speaking from Reynosa in Mexico, a man identifying himself as Ben’s brother Humberto Sotelo spoke of his frustration at the lack of information that is being provided to him by Canadian authorities.
“They are not supporting us, they are not supporting my brother, they don’t give us information,” he told CityNews on Friday. “Not the authorities, not the company, nobody is giving us the right information and we are very concerned. [It has been 24 hours] and there is no news about my brother.”
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Sotelo said he understands crews must do their work carefully, but begged for those involved in the rescue to speed up their work.
“I am praying to God to help them, to guide them, to take care of them,” Sotelo said. “And I ask them to do [your] work like you know, but a little faster.”
Speaking to CityNews via social media, Ben Sotelo’s niece Lia Sotelo also spoke of her frustration about the lack of information. She says police told her they would call her, but after that didn’t happen, she went to the scene. She says only then was she provided with information.
Humberto Sotelo is in the process of travelling to Vancouver from Mexico, but is still working out the paperwork and needs to secure a visa. He has booked a flight for Saturday and says he has not had any success getting in touch with Canadian authorities to speed up that process.
The scene is still active and Vancouver Fire and Rescue says this remains a rescue mission.
The rooftop parking lot collapsed along Lougheed Highway, west of Boundary Road and east of Rupert Street, Thursday around 1 p.m.
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