Indonesian School Collapse: Rescuers Battle Time in Desperate Search for Dozens Still Trapped
Indonesian School Collapse: Rescuers Battle Time in Desperate Search for Dozens Still Trapped
SIDOARJO, Indonesia – Rescue workers in East Java are intensifying their desperate search for dozens of students still believed to be trapped under the rubble of a collapsed Islamic boarding school, as the critical ‘golden hours’ for survival quickly dwindle. The tragic incident, which occurred on Monday, has so far claimed six lives, with hopes fading for the scores of unaccounted-for students.
The disaster struck the century-old al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo during afternoon prayers. Authorities have confirmed the collapse was a result of an unauthorized expansion, with two additional levels being constructed on an old foundation that proved unable to bear the increased weight. While female students in another section of the building managed to escape, male students aged 12-18 bore the brunt of the collapse.
A ray of hope emerged on Wednesday afternoon when rescuers successfully pulled one boy alive from the debris, though his condition remains undisclosed. This follows the earlier rescue of five survivors who were reached via a painstakingly dug tunnel and provided with essential food and drink while still trapped. Despite these successes, the operation is fraught with challenges; the remaining structure is highly unstable, preventing the use of heavy equipment that could trigger further collapse.
More than 300 dedicated workers are meticulously chipping away at concrete slabs and twisted steel with hand tools, crawling through tight passages in the debris. Oxygen, water, and food are being supplied through narrow gaps to those detected alive, and thermal drones are aiding the search efforts. Of approximately 100 injured, over two dozen remain hospitalized, many suffering from severe head injuries and broken bones. As the sun rises on Thursday, October 2, the race against time continues, with officials expressing an urgent desire to complete the operation before more lives are lost.
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