School collapse incidents are rare but devastating, and Indonesia is now grappling with the tragic consequences of one such disaster. Rescue teams are working tirelessly following the catastrophic collapse of a multi-storey boarding school building in West Sumatra, which has claimed the lives of at least 14 students and staff members, with dozens still missing.
The incident occurred suddenly on Monday afternoon, as students at the Islamic boarding school gathered for their afternoon prayers. Without warning, part of the multi-storey structure gave way, reducing concrete walls and floors to rubble within seconds.
Residents reported that the force of the school collapse was so intense it caused tremors throughout the surrounding neighbourhood. Parents, teachers, and local community members rushed to the scene, hoping for news of their loved ones amid the wreckage.
Community Devastated by the School Collapse
As of Saturday, Indonesia’s National School collapse Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) confirmed that the death toll had climbed to 14. Nine additional bodies were recovered on Friday alone, according to BNPB Chief Suharyanto.
“As of today, we are still searching for 49 people who are believed to be buried under the rubble,” Suharyanto said during a press briefing broadcast by Kompas TV.
Efforts to locate survivors were severely hampered in the first few days due to unstable debris and the high risk of secondary collapses. Additionally, a moderate earthquake on Tuesday night briefly halted rescue operations, adding to the already dangerous conditions for search-and-rescue teams.
Initially, rescuers had relied on manual digging and minimal machinery, out of concern that vibrations could trigger further collapses or endanger trapped individuals. However, with the 72-hour “golden period” for survival now passed, families of the missing have agreed to allow the use of heavy machinery to speed up the operation.
“After the last victim was found last night, we are now focusing on a massive cleanup effort. Heavy equipment has entered the most affected areas of the collapse,” said Suharyanto.
The deployment of excavators and cranes is expected to significantly accelerate the recovery process, though officials have warned that the terrain remains unstable.
As rescue teams continue their work, investigators have begun examining the cause of the deadly school collapse. Preliminary assessments suggest substandard construction practices may have played a role.
Structural engineers and safety experts dispatched to the site have raised concerns over the materials used and the building’s compliance with safety codes. This is not the first time that construction integrity has been questioned in similar tragedies in Indonesia, where rapid development often comes at the expense of safety regulations.
The Education Ministry has pledged to launch a full audit of school buildings in the region to prevent further disasters.
In the aftermath of the school collapse, the community has been left reeling. Vigils have been held outside the gates of the collapsed building, where grieving families and friends pray for those still missing. Local mosques have opened their doors to support families, offering shelter and food while they await news.
“It’s every parent’s worst nightmare,” said Dian Mustofa, a mother whose son narrowly escaped the School collapse. “They were just children, doing what they do every day—praying, studying, trying to learn. This should never have happened.”
Volunteers from nearby towns have also joined in relief efforts, providing meals, water, and assistance to both families and rescuers.
Despite the difficulties, search and rescue teams remain committed to the mission. Workers have been digging through tons of debris in 12-hour shifts, using thermal imaging tools and sound detectors to locate any signs of life.
Indonesia’s army and police have also joined the operation, lending manpower and equipment to aid the search. Drones are being used to survey the extent of the damage and guide rescue planning.
As the recovery continues, public pressure is mounting on the government to hold those responsible accountable. The Ministry of Public Works has vowed to assist with a transparent investigation, while promising stricter enforcement of construction standards, especially for educational facilities.
President Joko Widodo has expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured the nation that lessons will be learned from this tragedy.
“We mourn with the families. We will do everything in our power to ensure this kind of school collapse never happens again,” a presidential statement read.
Source- EWN
