Rescue teams in Sidoarjo, Indonesia, raced against time Tuesday morning to reach students trapped under the unstable concrete rubble of a collapsed school building. More than 12 hours after the disaster, the situation remained dire, with at least one student confirmed dead, dozens injured, and 65 feared buried beneath the debris.
The collapse occurred at Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in East Java, a once-trusted place of learning that quickly turned into a scene of chaos and heartbreak. Rescue workers, police, and soldiers worked tirelessly through the night, pulling survivors from the wreckage amid precarious conditions.
By early morning, eight students had been rescued, weak and injured, more than eight hours after the building gave way. The discovery of additional bodies suggested that the death toll could rise significantly, leaving families in unbearable suspense.
Parents and relatives gathered at local hospitals and near the collapsed structure, anxiously awaiting news about their children. Many could only watch in horror as rescuers brought out dust-covered and injured students from the buried prayer hall.
A notice board at the command post listed 65 students as missing, a haunting reminder of the scale of the disaster. The children, mostly boys in grades seven to 11, were between 12 and 17 years old, and their families waited with growing dread for any sign of them.
“Oh my God… my son is still buried, oh my God please help!” one mother screamed, clutching at hope while others echoed her cries. Fathers and siblings pleaded with rescuers, desperately urging them to find their loved ones alive.
Search and rescue officers faced immense challenges navigating the unstable structure. Heavy slabs of concrete and fractured debris made every move perilous, forcing the team to proceed with extreme caution to prevent further collapse.
“We have been running oxygen and water to those still trapped under the debris, keeping them alive while we work to extract them,” said Nanang Sigit, the officer leading the rescue efforts. He added that several bodies had already been spotted but the focus remained on saving survivors.
Several hundred rescuers were involved in the operation, equipped with breathing apparatus, extrication tools, medical support gear, and other essential equipment to handle the crisis. Every second mattered as the trapped students clung to life beneath the rubble.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and fear, with residents, teachers, and school administrators assisting injured students. Many of the survivors suffered head injuries, broken bones, and other severe trauma, requiring immediate medical attention.
The disaster struck while male students were performing afternoon prayers in a building undergoing an unauthorized expansion. Female students, who were in another part of the building, reportedly escaped unharmed, highlighting the narrow margin between life and tragedy.
Officials confirmed that one 13-year-old boy had died, while 99 other students were injured and transported to nearby hospitals. Several remain in critical condition, leaving families and authorities in a state of tense anticipation.
Investigators quickly launched a probe into the cause of the collapse. Provincial police spokesperson Jules Abraham Abast said that the original prayer hall was two stories, but two additional floors were being added without proper permits.
“The old building’s foundation was apparently unable to support two additional floors of concrete,” Abast explained. “The collapse occurred during the pouring process, leading to this tragic event.”
Rescuers worked through dangerous conditions, using extreme care to prevent further shifts in the debris. Heavy machinery was kept at bay, as any vibration could cause more sections to fall, endangering both trapped students and rescue personnel.
Relatives of missing students lingered at the scene, some fainting or breaking down in tears as the rescue operation continued. The collective grief and anxiety of the community was palpable, reflecting the deep emotional toll of the disaster.
First responders coordinated medical evacuation efforts on the spot, treating injuries ranging from fractures to severe lacerations, while prioritizing those who were most critically trapped under the rubble.
The collapse has sparked outrage and concern over safety regulations in schools, particularly regarding unauthorized construction projects. Residents and authorities alike have questioned why proper permits and safety checks were not enforced.
Despite the devastation, rescuers remained committed to their mission. Every minute brought new challenges, but their determination to save lives highlighted the resilience and dedication of emergency teams in the face of disaster.
Communities across Indonesia watched the unfolding tragedy with sorrow and disbelief. The incident at Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School serves as a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly safety can be compromised, and the devastating consequences that follow.
As authorities continue rescue and recovery operations, families cling to hope that more students can be pulled from the rubble alive. The coming hours will be crucial in determining the full extent of the casualties, and the nation mourns with those affected by this heartbreaking event.