Post by : Rameen Ariff

At least 90 students remain trapped under rubble following the collapse of an Islamic school building in East Java, Indonesia, authorities confirmed. The building fell on hundreds of students, mostly teenage boys, during afternoon prayers on Monday at the al Khoziny Islamic boarding school, which was undergoing an unauthorized expansion.

Rescue teams of more than 300 workers have been tirelessly trying to free survivors, providing oxygen, water, and food through narrow gaps in the debris to those still trapped. At least six children are reported alive beneath heavy concrete slabs, but the unstable structure makes rescue efforts extremely challenging.

So far, three students have been confirmed dead, and over 100 others sustained injuries, including head trauma and broken bones. The students affected are primarily boys aged 12 to 18, while female students, who were praying in another section, escaped safely.

Authorities said the prayer hall, originally two stories high, had been illegally expanded by adding two more floors. The building’s old foundation could not support the extra weight, causing it to collapse during the pouring process.

The National Disaster Management Agency initially reported 38 students trapped, but the number was revised to 90 after reviewing attendance records and reports from families of missing students.

Rescue operations continue despite the dangers, with heavy equipment not used in some areas to avoid further collapse. Officials are urging families to stay patient as teams work to reach every survivor under the debris.

This tragic incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in school construction and the risks of unauthorized building expansions in Indonesia.

#world news #Global News #Indonesia News