Death Toll Rises to 54 in Indonesian School Collapse
Key Takeaways
- The death toll from the school building collapse in Indonesia has reached 54, with over a dozen people still missing.
- The collapse occurred on Java Island while students were gathering for afternoon prayers.
- Rescue teams are working to complete recovery efforts, hoping to conclude them soon.
- Investigators suspect poor construction quality may be a major factor in the disaster.
- The incident highlights growing national concerns regarding lax construction standards in Indonesia.
The official casualty count from the school building collapse on Java Island, Indonesia, has reached 54 confirmed deaths, including recovered body parts, as rescue operations persist for more than a dozen missing individuals. The multi-storey boarding school collapsed unexpectedly last week during afternoon prayers, prompting nonstop recovery efforts by the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas). Officials stated they hope to complete the recovery process by the end of the day, returning the victims to their families. This tragedy has been labeled Indonesia's deadliest disaster of the year so far, prompting an investigation into the cause, with early indications pointing toward poor construction quality. The passing of the 72-hour 'golden period' allowed for the use of heavy machinery, as concerns about lax construction standards increase following a similar incident last month.
