In brief
In Sidoarjo, Indonesia, a two-storey Islamic boarding school collapsed, resulting in at least five fatalities and 59 students still unaccounted for. Rescuers face significant challenges in recovery due to the building's unstable structure, and after initial hopes, no signs of life were detected under the debris. Authorities are now using heavy machinery for further search operations, as anxious families await updates.
A tragic accident occurred in Sidoarjo, Indonesia, where a two-storey Islamic boarding school collapsed on Monday, leaving at least five students dead and approximately 100 injured. Amid ongoing rescue operations, 59 individuals are still reported missing, as rescuers have struggled to locate survivors beneath the rubble.
The school building was reportedly under construction for additional floors, leading to concerns about its structural integrity. Rescuers have noted that challenging conditions and the risk of further collapse have hindered operations to get people safely out.
In the aftermath, a senior official from the disaster mitigation agency (BNBP), Lt Gen Suharyanto, stated that despite extensive search efforts using thermal drones, no signs of life were found. Four days into the search, the operation is shifting to using heavy machinery to remove concrete debris.
Anxious relatives, some crying and pleading for news, have camped outside the school grounds. One family member, Maulana Bayu Rizky Pratama, expressed hope for his missing brother, while another, Ahmad Ikhsan, held onto the belief that his son might still be alive.
The community and local authorities are now left grappling with the tragedy, assessing the implications of construction permits and safety regulations that may have been overlooked, which contributed to the school’s unsafe condition.
