Searching for Over 10 Missing Persons
"Deadliest Disaster in Indonesia This Year"
On the 4th (local time), after the collapse of the Al Kojini Islamic boarding school, rescue workers are clearing debris to search for victims. Photo by AP Yonhap News
The death toll from the collapse of the Al Kojini Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia, has risen to 54. Local police have reportedly identified unauthorized expansion as the cause of the accident.
According to AFP on October 6 (local time), Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency announced that they have recovered 54 bodies from the building debris, while more than 12 people are still missing. The rescue authorities plan to complete the search and hand over the bodies to the bereaved families within the day.
The school's prayer hall building suddenly collapsed on the afternoon of September 29. During the initial rescue efforts, five people were miraculously found alive. However, after the critical 72-hour "golden time" had passed around October 3, the chances of survival became virtually nonexistent, and the families of the missing agreed to allow heavy machinery to be used for debris removal.
The National Disaster Management Agency explained that no further signs of survivors were detected using thermal imaging equipment.
Budi Irawan, Deputy Chief of the Disaster Management Agency, stated that "this incident is the deadliest disaster in Indonesia this year," adding that most of the deceased and missing are teenage male students.
Police believe the collapse occurred because the school illegally added two floors on top of the existing two-story building, which could not withstand the additional weight. In Indonesia, it is common practice to add to buildings whenever funds become available, and such collapses are known to occur repeatedly as a result.
According to Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs, there are about 42,000 Islamic boarding schools, known as "pesantren," nationwide, but only about 50 of them have obtained building permits. It has not been confirmed whether Al Kojini school had the necessary permits.
This school is operated by Abdus Salam Mujib, a respected local Islamic cleric. In Indonesia, which has the world's largest Muslim population, criminal investigations involving clerics are considered highly sensitive matters.
Nanang Avianto, Chief of the East Java Police, told AP that "consultation with a team of construction experts is needed to determine whether the school's negligence led to the fatalities," and that "the case will be thoroughly investigated."
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