Indonesia School Collapse: Death Toll Reaches 54, Search Continues
The death toll from the collapse of the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia, has tragically risen to 54. Rescue efforts are ongoing as teams search for the remaining missing individuals following the devastating incident that occurred last week. The collapse is being investigated, with initial reports suggesting substandard construction as a potential cause.
Rescue and Recovery Efforts
Rescue teams have been working tirelessly to clear the debris and recover victims from the collapsed structure. According to Yudhi Bramantyo, a search and rescue agency official, the teams have recovered bodies and body parts. They are using heavy machinery, including excavators, to navigate the wreckage. Despite the challenging conditions, rescuers remain committed to finding the remaining missing individuals.
Footage shared by the search and rescue agency shows recovery workers carrying orange body bags out of the ruins. As of Monday, rescuers hoped to conclude the recovery efforts, aiming to return the recovered remains to their families.
Possible Causes and Investigation
Authorities are investigating the cause of the school collapse. Initial findings suggest that poor construction practices and the use of substandard materials may have contributed to the incident. It is suspected that construction work on the upper floors exceeded the school's foundations' capacity, leading to the collapse. Dody Hanggodo, the country’s public works minister, stated that only a small fraction of Islamic schools in Indonesia possess building permits.
There are possibilities that people involved in the construction of the school building may face serious charges, which can go up to a death sentence as per Indonesian law.
Context of Islamic Schools in Indonesia
Across Indonesia, there are approximately 42,000 Islamic school buildings, known locally as a pesantren. However, a concerningly small number of these institutions have obtained the necessary building permits. This raises concerns about the structural integrity and safety of numerous educational facilities throughout the country.
Many Pesantren operate informally without strong regulation or consistent monitoring, which contributes to potential building safety issues.
Statements and Perspectives
Budi Irawan, a deputy at the disaster mitigation agency, described the collapse as the deadliest disaster in Indonesia this year. Survivors have shared harrowing accounts of their escapes. Muhammad Rijalul Qoib, a 13-year-old student, recounted hearing the sound of falling rocks before managing to escape with injuries.
Concerns Over Building Safety
The tragic collapse has raised widespread concerns about building safety and construction standards across Indonesia. The incident highlights the need for stricter regulations and oversight to prevent similar disasters in the future. This incident follows another building collapse in West Java in September that killed at least three people during a prayer recital, further underscoring the urgency of addressing these safety concerns.
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