SIDOARJO, Indonesia—On Wednesday, rescue workers in Indonesia intensified their frantic efforts to locate survivors from a tragic school collapse in East Java province. Currently, at least 91 students remain unaccounted for, with the grim tally standing at three confirmed dead and around 100 injured.
The boarding school, engaged in an unauthorized expansion project to add two floors, partially crumbled during afternoon prayers on Monday. This sudden catastrophe unleashed heavy slabs of concrete onto the unsuspecting students below.
Typically, initial rescues happen within the first 24 hours following such disasters, as the likelihood of survival diminishes significantly thereafter. More than 300 dedicated workers continue their efforts at the scene, aiming to reach those individuals detected as still alive beneath the rubble.
“We hope to conclude this operation swiftly,” remarked Mohammad Syafii, the head of Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, at a press conference. “We’re in a race against time, as we might still save lives during these crucial hours,” he added.
Among the injured, approximately 26 remain hospitalized, suffering from various injuries, primarily head trauma and broken bones, according to reports from authorities.
Notably, Syafii’s agency confirmed that at least six children are believed to be alive underneath the debris. However, the complexities of the rescue have been magnified due to the precarious nature of the remaining structure. Although heavy machinery is on standby, its use is fraught with the risk of causing further collapses.
To sustain those trapped, rescuers are providing oxygen, food, and water through narrow openings in the rubble, demonstrating an admirable commitment to saving lives amidst chaos.
Teams equipped with detectors and thermal drones are actively searching for potential survivors, showcasing modern ingenuity in disaster response.
The disaster unfolded at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Monday, when the prayer hall at the historic al Khoziny Islamic boarding school—established over a century ago—collapsed under the weight of its own rise. Students affected were predominantly boys aged between 12 and 18, spanning grades seven to twelve, while female students praying in a different section of the building managed to escape unharmed.
Authorities have reported that the prayer hall, originally two stories tall, was undergoing fraudulent construction to add additional floors without the necessary permits. Preliminary investigations suggest that the existing foundation likely couldn’t support the extra weight, leading to Monday’s disastrous outcome.
Initially, officials estimated that only 38 individuals were missing; however, that count tragically escalated to 91 as attendance records and family inquiries were conducted late Tuesday. “Confusion in the early stages is often inevitable,” commented Suharyanto, head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, who is known only by one name, as is typical in Indonesia.
By Edna Tarigan and Trisnadi
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