SIDOARJO, Indonesia (BN24) — Rescue teams on Wednesday pulled a survivor from the wreckage of a collapsed school building in Indonesia, as desperate parents awaited news of their children still believed trapped under the debris. The collapse occurred on Monday afternoon on Java Island, during a time when students were gathered for afternoon prayers.
Rescuers also recovered a fourth body from the ruins, but details about the victims have not been released. Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for Indonesia’s National Disaster and Mitigation Agency (BNPB), said 91 people are still feared trapped, according to school records.
Tearful parents gathered near the site, pleading for the rescue efforts to be intensified. “We believe our children might still be alive because they were crying for help,” said Abdul Hanan, whose 14-year-old son is missing. “The rescue operation must be accelerated,” he added, his voice breaking.
Dewi Sulistiana, also searching for her 14-year-old son, rushed to the scene from Surabaya after hearing of the collapse. “I have been here for days, I cried thinking about my son,” Sulistiana said, expressing frustration over the slow pace of the search. “Why is it taking so long?”
Mohammad Syafii, head of the National Search and Rescue Agency, said the operation is complex. Crews are digging tunnels under the collapsed structure to reach the victims, but the narrow spaces and the risk of further collapse have made the operation more dangerous. “If vibration happens in one spot, it could affect other areas,” Syafii said. The tunnels being dug are only about 60 centimeters (23 inches) wide due to the concrete pillars supporting the structure.
With the 72-hour “golden period” for rescue operations nearing its end, thermal-sensing drones and snake cameras have been deployed to locate survivors. Rescue teams have detected signs of life in seven areas, but as of Wednesday, it remained unclear how many people might still be alive.
An earthquake offshore on Tuesday briefly halted the search, but rescuers resumed operations shortly after the tremors subsided. Local charities have set up aid stations to provide food and water for the families waiting for any news.
Investigations are ongoing, but initial reports suggest that the collapse was caused by structural issues, including a failure of the building’s foundation to support the added weight of new construction on the fourth floor. Experts have raised concerns about lax building standards in Indonesia, where it is common for buildings to be constructed in phases, often leaving structures incomplete or inadequately reinforced.
Earlier this month, a similar incident occurred in West Java, where a building hosting a prayer recital collapsed, killing three people and injuring dozens more.
The search continues as the families of the missing hold on to hope that more survivors will be found.
