What does the symbol of a V circled with a horizontal line in a collapse indicate?

The symbol of a V circled with a horizontal line in a collapse indicates that the void has been searched and a dead victim remains inside. This symbol is part of a communication system used by first responders during structural collapses to quickly convey critical information about the status of specific areas within the debris.

When responders encounter a void space during search and rescue operations, clear documentation of what has been discovered is essential for the safety and coordination of rescue efforts. The V with a horizontal line communicates to all team members that search efforts have already been conducted in that specific area, and unfortunately, the outcome was the discovery of a deceased individual. This helps prevent unnecessary duplication of efforts in that section, allowing resources to be redirected to other areas where live victims may still be at risk.

Other symbols convey different conditions, such as whether a space has been searched and found to be clear or whether there are still possible survivors, but the symbol in question here distinctly indicates the presence of a deceased individual.