A retired Santa Cruz Wharf supervisor said old steel fasteners had been loosening and the structure had been slowly breaking apart for years.

Mayor, while stressing the value of the wharf in the community, says rebuilding without serious discussions would be “irresponsible.”

A part of the Santa Cruz Wharf collapsed Monday afternoon during a high-surf warning, with authorities confirming two people had to be pulled from the water.

Three people were rescued from the wharf. The powerful surf also fatally trapped a man under debris on a beach in Santa Cruz, the authorities said.

The famed Santa Cruz Wharf on the California coast will remain indefinitely closed until further notice after part collapsed this week with city leaders fearing for its future due to growing effects of climate change.

Officials say the wharf will not reopen until the city is sure it is safe to do so, and it's not clear whether the collapsed section of the wharf. Plus, a stowaway passed TSA and boarded a Delta flight from Seattle to Honolulu.

The City of Santa Cruz will hold a news conference on Friday at the Cowell's Beach Main Parking Lot to provide more updates about the wharf breaking off earlier this week.