Tragedy in East Java: School Building Collapse Leaves Students Dead and Dozens Trapped
A devastating incident occurred at the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia, where a building under construction collapsed on Monday. As of Tuesday, at least three students have been confirmed dead, over 100 injured, and dozens are feared to be still trapped beneath the rubble. Rescue operations are ongoing as emergency responders work to free survivors.
Rescue Efforts Underway
Hundreds of rescue workers, including police, soldiers, and volunteers, have been working tirelessly through the night to locate and extricate those trapped. Initial reports indicated that 65 students were missing, but National Disaster Management Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari revised that number to 38 by midday Tuesday. The rescue operation was temporarily suspended when the collapsed structure shook, raising fears of further collapse. Efforts resumed a few hours later.
Nanang Sigit, the search and rescue officer leading the operation, stated, "We have been running oxygen and water to those still trapped under the debris and keeping them alive while we work hard to get them out." He also noted that rescuers had seen bodies under the rubble but are prioritizing the rescue of those who are still alive.
The Victims and Their Families
The students affected are mostly boys between the ages of 12 and 18, attending grades seven to eleven. Families of the missing and injured have gathered at hospitals and near the collapsed building, desperately awaiting news. Heartbreaking scenes unfolded as parents saw their children's names on a missing persons board. One mother cried, "Oh my God... my son is still buried, oh my God please help!" while another father pleaded, "Please, sir, please find my child immediately."
Investigation into the Cause
Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse. Jules Abraham Abast, a provincial police spokesperson, stated that the building was undergoing an unauthorized expansion. The original two-story prayer hall had two additional floors added without a permit. "The old building's foundation was apparently unable to support two floors of concrete and collapsed during the pouring process," Abast explained.
The tragedy highlights concerns about construction standards and regulatory enforcement in Indonesia. The incident at Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School underscores the need for stricter oversight to prevent similar disasters in the future.
Eyewitness Accounts
Survivors reported that female students, who were praying in a different part of the building, managed to escape unharmed. Residents, teachers, and administrators assisted in the initial rescue efforts, tending to the injured, many of whom suffered head injuries and broken bones.
The community is grappling with the immense loss and uncertainty, as rescue operations continue and investigations into the cause of the collapse unfold.
