Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) confirmed on Thursday that no further signs of life were detected at the Al-Khoziny Islamic Boarding School, which collapsed on Monday. The disaster left 59 individuals reported missing.
Suharyanto, the head of the BNPB, stated during a press conference at the site in eastern Java, “We used high-tech equipment, including thermal drones, and scientifically, there were no more signs of life.”
Relatives of the missing students expressed their anguish in nearby streets upon hearing the news. Earlier, five individuals were successfully rescued alive, though one remained in critical condition and required urgent medical attention. All survivors were transported to RSUD Sidoarjo hospital.
The search and rescue (SAR) team also recovered two deceased victims, raising the confirmed death toll to five. The bodies were taken to RS Siti Hajar hospital. On Wednesday evening, the SAR team reassessed the location to determine if any signs of life remained among six people previously believed to be trapped.
If any indications of life are discovered, the team plans to intensify rescue efforts, using carefully considered strategies due to the challenging conditions. Heavy machinery presents a risk, as the collapsed structure remains unstable, potentially endangering both victims and rescuers.
Should no additional signs of life be detected, BNPB, in collaboration with Basarnas and the East Java Provincial Government, intends to consult with victims’ families before making decisions about deploying heavy equipment for recovery operations.
As of Wednesday, 59 individuals were still reported trapped under the rubble, based on attendance records from the boarding school and family reports. Adjustments to these numbers reflect the discovery of survivors or individuals not present during the incident.
Authorities have announced plans to begin using machinery for recovery efforts after initially avoiding such equipment due to concerns about harming potential survivors. Family members have set up temporary camps at the site since the collapse, providing DNA samples for the identification of their loved ones.
Officials have closed off access to the Al-Khoziny Islamic Boarding School, which collapsed while workers were pouring concrete on the fourth floor. Even from hundreds of meters away, the smell of decomposing bodies permeated the area.
On Wednesday night, rescuers managed to retrieve five students from an air pocket, sparking hopes for additional survivors. However, these hopes diminished as the critical 72-hour “golden window” for survival closed.
The building’s collapse was attributed to the failure of its foundation pillars to support the weight of additional construction on the fourth floor, according to BNPB spokesperson Abdul Muhari. The boarding school, located in Sidoarjo, is about 780 kilometers (480 miles) east of Jakarta.
Authorities noted that the building’s century-old foundation could not sustain the newly added concrete floors, which were constructed without the necessary permits. This incident has raised serious concerns over lax construction practices in Indonesia, where it is common for structures to be modified without proper oversight, contributing to recurrent disasters.
Earlier this month, a building hosting a prayer recital collapsed in West Java, causing at least three fatalities and numerous injuries. In 2018, seven teenagers lost their lives in Cirebon when a building where they were rehearsing for a musical performance collapsed.
The post “No more signs of life,” says Indonesia’s disaster agency on school collapse appeared first on Maktoob media.
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