Rescuers Hunt for 59 Trapped Under Collapsed Indonesian School

Rescue teams in Indonesia are working urgently to reach an estimated 59 people still trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed multi-storey boarding school on the island of Java. Authorities are considering digging a tunnel to access the victims, despite the risk of destabilising the structure further.

Incident Overview

• The school suddenly collapsed on Monday as students gathered for afternoon prayers.
• 91 individuals were reportedly buried under the debris, according to Indonesia’s National Disaster and Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
• At least five fatalities have been confirmed so far.
• As of Wednesday night, 59 people remained missing, though the agency noted that figures are “dynamic and changing” as some survivors have not yet reported themselves.

Distraught families gathered near the site, with local residents offering shelter to those waiting for news.

“I’ve been here since day one. I am hoping for the best news, that my brother survives. I am still hopeful,” said Maulana Bayu Rizky Pratama, whose 17-year-old sibling is missing.
“It’s been four days, I hope my brother will be found soon. I feel sad thinking of him being down there for four days,” he added.

Rescuers managed to pull five survivors from the rubble on Wednesday, while anxious parents urged them to speed up the search for dozens of children still believed to be trapped.

“The rescue operation must be accelerated,” said Abdul Hanan, whose 14-year-old son is missing, adding that children under the debris had been crying for help.

The operation is extremely complex. Vibrations in one area could destabilise other parts of the collapsed building.

“To reach the spot where the victims are, we have to dig an underground tunnel,” explained Mohammad Syafii, head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas).

Challenges include:

• Risk of landslides while tunnelling
• Limited access: tunnels only about 60 centimetres (23 inches) wide due to concrete columns

Technology in use:

• Thermal-sensing drones are being deployed to locate survivors and deceased individuals.
• Rescuers are inserting cameras beneath the rubble to detect signs of life.

“Signs of life have been detected in several areas,” said Emi Freezer, a rescue official.
“Water and food are being sent in, but access is through a single point. The main structure has totally collapsed.”

The 72-hour “golden period” for survival is nearing its end, but officials warned the operation could extend beyond seven days if victims remain unaccounted for.

Preliminary investigations suggest the collapse occurred due to foundation pillars failing under the weight of new construction on the school’s fourth floor. Experts cite substandard construction as a likely factor.

An additional challenge arose when an earthquake struck offshore overnight Tuesday, briefly halting rescue efforts.

Local residents reported the violence of the collapse: “I felt a vibration and then I heard a noise. I immediately ran to save myself. I didn’t realise at first it was a building collapse,” said Ani, a nearby grocery stall owner.

Charitable organisations have set up aid posts near the ruins, providing families with food and water while they wait for updates.

Indonesia has long struggled with lax construction standards, particularly in structures left partially completed to allow for future expansion. Such practices heighten the risk of collapses in schools, houses, and other buildings.

Recent incidents underscore this issue:

• Earlier this month, at least three people were killed and dozens injured when a building hosting a prayer recital collapsed in West Java.

The ongoing rescue operation highlights Indonesia’s vulnerabilities in construction safety, and the emotional toll on families and rescuers remains immense. Authorities continue to dig through the rubble, hoping to bring all missing children to safety.