indonesian School Collapse: Rescue efforts End, 59 Remain Missing
Sidoarjo, Indonesia – Indonesian authorities have ceased active search efforts at the site of Monday’s school collapse in Sidoarjo, East Java, after determining there is no longer any sign of life amongst the rubble. The proclamation, made Thursday by National Agency for Disaster Management Director Suharyanto, raises the grim prospect of a notable loss of life as 59 people remain unaccounted for.
The collapse occurred at the Al-Khoziny Islamic boarding school while over 100 students were gathered for afternoon prayer. The incident has prompted investigations into potential structural failures during ongoing construction to add a floor to the building. This disaster underscores the critical importance of enforcing stringent construction standards in Indonesia,a nation prone to natural disasters and facing rapid infrastructure advancement.
According to Suharyanto, “We used high-tech equipment like thermal drones and scientifically there was no more sign of life” at the catastrophe site. The revised number of those affected is 100, down from an initial estimate of 102 due to a double count, with three confirmed fatalities, including two deaths occurring in hospital.
Preliminary findings suggest the collapse may have been triggered by defective pillars unable to support the weight of concrete being poured for the additional floor. Abdus Salam Mujib, an internship official, stated, “the pillars of the foundations could not have supported the weight of the molding, causing the collapse of the building to the ground floor.” Mujib further emphasized that the accident could have been avoided with stricter adherence to construction regulations.
The school is located approximately 800 kilometers east of Jakarta. Local Research and Rescue Agency Director Nanang Sigit confirmed the revised casualty figures in a statement Tuesday.authorities are now focusing on the investigation into the cause of the collapse and assessing the structural integrity of other buildings in the area.
