Indonesia School Collapse: Desperate Rescue Operations Continue Amidst Tragedy
A tragic incident has unfolded in the province of East Java, Indonesia, where a school building collapsed during afternoon prayer time, resulting in the death of at least three students and leaving 38 to over 90 students, aged between 12 and 17, feared trapped under the rubble. The collapse occurred at an Islamic boarding school, Al Khoziny, where students were attending afternoon prayers in a mosque housed on a lower floor of a building whose upper floors were under construction.
Background and Context
The collapse of the century-old Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, East Java, has left parents desperately searching for scores of missing teenage boys feared trapped under huge piles of concrete. The building, under construction at the time of the incident, collapsed on top of hundreds of students, mainly teen boys, who were performing afternoon prayers on Monday. The instability of the building has hampered rescue efforts, with authorities temporarily halting the rescue operations fearing the risk of further collapse.
Key Developments
Rescue workers, police, and soldiers have been working tirelessly, running oxygen and water to those who remain trapped, and digging through the night in attempts to locate the missing students. More than 300 rescuers have been deployed and are continuing their desperate efforts to free survivors. Despite the challenges, eight weak and injured survivors were pulled out from the rubble hours after the collapse.
Indonesia's disaster management agency has reported that at least six children are still alive under the rubble. Indonesia's National Agency for Disaster Management reported that 77 victims have been taken to hospitals for treatment. The death toll is expected to rise, with rescuers stating that they have seen several bodies buried in the rubble.
Implications and Reactions
The incident has shaken the community and has raised questions about the safety standards of buildings in the region. The tragic event occurred amidst the ruins of a building that was under construction, suggesting potential lapses in safety measures that could have prevented such a disaster. There has been no official statement yet on the probable causes of the collapse.
Current Status
As of now, rescue operations continue amidst the ruins of the collapsed school building. The official death toll stands at three, but is expected to rise. The number of students remaining trapped under the rubble is uncertain, with reports ranging from 38 to over 90. The situation remains tense, with parents and relatives anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones.