[2] Initial speculation centered on a theory that the cars parked on a six-inch-thick slab of concrete on the roof were too heavy, causing the collapse.
Investigations later concluded that resurfacing of the parking lot combined with salt in the sand had eroded the supporting steel structure of the building, weakening it catastrophically.
[2] Rescue operations had to proceed slowly because of the danger of a partially-destroyed wall that threatened collapse, potentially burying rescuers and survivors.
[7] However, later investigations found that the supporting steel structure of the building had been eroded and weakened by resurfacing of the parking lot combined with salt in the sand.
[3] Examining the six tons of rubble left by the collapse, Miami-Dade County engineer John Pistorino concluded that concrete buildings in South Florida have particular risks, as salt in the aggregate rock used when making concrete can corrode reinforcing steel due to the area's humid climate and salty air.