The death toll from the collapse of a school building in Indonesia's East Java Province has climbed to five, regional authorities confirmed Wednesday. At least 84 people remain trapped under unstable rubble at Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo district.
Nanang Sigit, head of the East Java Search and Rescue Office, reported that seven students were evacuated today—five alive and two deceased. With shifting debris and safety risks, officials are weighing whether to bring in heavy equipment if no more survivors are found.
The building, undergoing unauthorized renovations, caved in during afternoon prayers on Monday. Hundreds of rescuers from multiple agencies have rushed to the site, racing against time to reach those still trapped beneath the ruins.
As night falls, teams remain on high alert, using careful strategies to navigate unstable structures. Every minute counts in the hope of saving lives and reuniting families.
Officials are investigating the collapse's cause and urging stricter oversight of renovation work across Indonesia to prevent similar tragedies. For now, the focus remains on the urgent search and rescue mission.
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Death toll from Indonesia school building collapse rises to 5
cgtn.com
