Death Toll in Indonesia School Collapse Rises to 54
JAKARTA, Indonesia:
The death toll from a school building collapse on Java island has climbed to 54, officials confirmed Monday, as rescue teams continued searching for at least 13 people still missing. The multi-storey Islamic boarding school partially collapsed last week while students were attending afternoon prayers.
Rescue Efforts Continue
Yudhi Bramantyo, operations director at the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), told reporters:
“We have recovered 54 victims, including five body parts. Rescue teams are working around the clock, and we hope to complete the recovery today and return the bodies to their families.”
The collapse marks the deadliest disaster in Indonesia this year, according to Budi Irawan, deputy head of the National Disaster Agency (BNPB).
Cause Under Investigation
Investigators are examining the reasons behind the collapse. Early reports suggest substandard construction may have contributed to the tragedy. Families of missing students approved the use of heavy equipment last Thursday, after the 72-hour “golden period” for survival ended.
Experts have raised broader concerns about lax construction standards in Indonesia. Earlier in September, a separate building hosting a prayer recital in West Java collapsed, killing three people and injuring dozens.
Concerns Over Safety Standards
The repeated incidents have intensified public scrutiny over the quality and safety of building construction in the country. Authorities are under pressure to improve enforcement of building codes and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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