Indonesia School Collapse: Rescuers Search for Missing Students
- Sidoarjo, Indonesia - indonesian rescuers are continuing to search for missing students after a prayer hall at the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school collapsed almost a week ago.
- Rescue teams are diligently removing rubble using jackhammers, circular saws, and even their bare hands in an attempt to locate the 26 students still missing.
- The structure fell on top of hundreds of students, primarily boys aged 12 to 19, on September 30th at the century-old Al Khoziny school in Sidoarjo, on the...
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Indonesia Islamic Boarding School Collapse: Death Toll Rises to 37
Table of Contents
What Happened?
Sidoarjo, Indonesia – indonesian rescuers are continuing to search for missing students after a prayer hall at the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school collapsed almost a week ago. As of Sunday, October 7, 2023, they have recovered 23 bodies over the weekend, bringing the total death toll to 37.
Rescue teams are diligently removing rubble using jackhammers, circular saws, and even their bare hands in an attempt to locate the 26 students still missing.
The structure fell on top of hundreds of students, primarily boys aged 12 to 19, on September 30th at the century-old Al Khoziny school in Sidoarjo, on the eastern side of Indonesia’s Java island.Authorities report that only one student escaped unharmed, while 95 were treated for injuries and released. Eight others remain hospitalized with serious wounds.
Cause of the Collapse: Illegal Construction and Structural Failure
Police investigations have revealed that two levels were added to the original two-story building without the necessary permits.This unauthorized construction is believed to be the primary cause of the structural failure.
Mudji Irmawan, a construction expert from Tenth November Institute of Technology, explained, “The construction couldn’t support the load while the concrete was pouring (to build) the third floor because it didn’t meet standards and the whole 800 square meters (8,600 square feet) construction collapsed.”
Widespread Anger and Calls for Accountability
The collapse has sparked significant public outrage across Indonesia, focusing on the prevalence of illegal construction and lax enforcement of building regulations. Many are demanding accountability from those responsible for approving the unauthorized additions to the building.
This incident is not isolated.Indonesia has a history of building collapses often linked to poor construction practices, corruption, and inadequate oversight. The government has pledged to review building regulations and increase inspections, but critics argue that more stringent measures are needed.
Timeline of events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September 30,2023 | Prayer hall at Al khoziny Islamic boarding school collapses. |
| October 1-6, 2023 | initial search and rescue operations; recovery of bodies. |