Post by : Rameen Ariff

Rescuers in East Java, Indonesia are racing to save dozens of people believed to be trapped in the rubble of a school building that collapsed on Monday. The Al-Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo caved in while hundreds of students, mostly teenage boys, were gathered for prayers.

At least four students were killed and about 100 others injured, some critically. Authorities reported that cries and shouts could still be heard from beneath the debris, while anxious relatives waited overnight for news of their loved ones.

Mohammad Syafii, head of Indonesia’s search and rescue agency Basarnas, said there has been confusion regarding the number of people trapped. He confirmed that rescuers pulled two students from the rubble on Wednesday – one died, while the other is receiving treatment. So far, 13 people have been rescued, but two died in the hospital on Tuesday.

The disaster mitigation agency stated that the collapse occurred as two extra floors were added to the building without proper permits. The foundation could not support the additional weight, making the structure unstable.

Rescue teams are carefully removing debris to avoid further collapse. Civil engineering expert Mudji Irmawan warned that even small vibrations could endanger survivors. Rescuers have been navigating through narrow underground culverts, with only about 60cm of access, to reach trapped students.

Rescue efforts are most crucial during the first 72 hours after the collapse, which are considered the golden hours for survival. Authorities remain hopeful that more students can be rescued during this period.

One survivor, 13-year-old Muhammad Rijalul Qoib, described the terrifying moments before the collapse. He recalled hearing loud sounds of falling debris as he tried to escape from the prayer room. With help, he managed to climb out of the rubble safely.

Unfortunately, not all students were as lucky. The first confirmed death was Maulana Alvan Ibrahimavic, a recent elementary school graduate who had been studying at Al-Khoziny for four months. Police escorted his body to the funeral home on Monday night.

Authorities continue their search and rescue operations amid concerns of further collapse, hoping to save more lives from the Sidoarjo school building disaster.

#world news #Global News #Indonesia News