Dozens of parents gathered on Wednesday near a collapsed school building on Java, Indonesia’s main island, as rescue teams worked tirelessly to search for survivors beneath the rubble, an AFP correspondent reported.
At least three people have died, while 38 others remain missing, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency.
Qoyyimah, a 42-year-old mother who goes by a single name, arrived at the site in tears, desperate for news of her 15-year-old son.
“I first heard about the collapse from my relatives who live around here. I was shocked,” she told AFP.
“Being away, I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t take it anymore, I couldn’t just wait for updates; I had to see it for myself. I’m really worried.”
Qoyyimah had travelled from the nearby island of Madura, arriving on Tuesday, a day after the building collapsed.
Rescue operations were temporarily halted when an earthquake struck overnight off the nearby coast, though teams quickly resumed their work.
Local media reported that construction had been ongoing for the past nine months, with the school expanding its facilities.
According to Abdul Muhari, spokesman for the national disaster management agency, the collapse occurred because foundation pillars failed to support the weight of new construction on the fourth floor.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about lax construction standards in Indonesia. It is common for structures, particularly residential buildings, to be partially completed, allowing owners to add extra floors later as finances permit.
Earlier this month, at least three people were killed and dozens injured when a building hosting a prayer recital collapsed in West Java province, underscoring the persistent risks associated with poor construction practices.
