Rescue operations at the site of a collapsed Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, Indonesia, are intensifying as authorities report that there are currently no signs of life under the rubble. The disaster struck on Monday when the two-storey building collapsed while it housed hundreds of students, primarily teenage boys. Tragically, five students are confirmed dead, with at least 100 injured and 59 still missing.
Search teams have managed to rescue thirteen individuals from the debris, but frustratingly, two of those later succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. Efforts have been hampered by the precarious nature of the building's structure, which has raised fears of additional collapses during the rescue process.
On Thursday, the head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNBP), Lt Gen Suharyanto, confirmed that advanced search technology using thermal drones had failed to detect any signs of life, despite clearing the site to ensure silence in hopes of hearing potential life signals. He indicated that the next phase of operations would involve using heavy equipment to begin moving the heavy concrete slabs.
A poignant scene has developed outside the school, with families anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. Many relatives, distraught yet hopeful, remain ranged against the backdrop of devastation. One sibling expressed, I am hoping for the best news, that my brother survives. As of earlier reports from the BNBP, the building was under construction when it collapsed, lacking proper permits for the additional floors, leading to its structural failure.
Authorities are under scrutiny as they assess the legality of the construction actions taken prior to the incident. As rescue operations continue, the heart-wrenching reality of the situation weighs heavily on the community, invoking a collective hope for miracles amid despair.
