Rescuers in Indonesia have expressed grave concerns, stating there are “no signs of life” emanating from the debris of a collapsed school. The tragic incident, which occurred on Monday, has left 59 people unaccounted for. The two-storey Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo town collapsed while hundreds of students, predominantly teenage boys, were inside. Sadly, at least five students lost their lives, and around 100 others sustained injuries.
Efforts to free those trapped have been severely hampered by the building’s unstable condition. While 13 individuals were successfully extricated, two succumbed to their injuries in hospital. The Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BNPB) utilized thermal drones overnight, but these advanced efforts yielded no indication of survivors. “Scientifically, no signs of life were found,” stated Lt Gen Suharyanto, head of the BNPB, at a press conference. The focus has now shifted to using heavy equipment to remove concrete slabs, a step that was previously too risky due to fears of further collapse.
Earlier reports on Wednesday suggested that sounds of crying and shouting were still audible from beneath the rubble, fueling the hopes of anxious relatives who had gathered at the site. However, these hopes have now diminished. The BNPB acknowledged that casualty figures can be fluid in the initial stages of such disasters. Investigations reveal the building’s collapse may have been due to the foundation’s inability to support the weight of two newly added floors. Local authorities have indicated that the school management may not have secured the necessary permits for these additional constructions.