When the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school building collapsed in Indonesia, at least one student was killed, numerous others were hurt, and 65 were thought to be buried beneath the rubble.
More than eight hours after the collapse in Sidoarjo, East Java, eight weak and injured students were rescued by rescue personnel, police, and soldiers who had been digging through the night.According to the AP, more bodies were seen, raising the possibility that the death toll may increase.
Awaiting word of their children, the students families flocked to hospitals and the area around the collapsed building.
As rescuers removed a dirty, bruised student from the buried prayer hall, relatives wept.
As of Tuesday morning, 65 pupils were recorded as missing on a notice board at the command post set up at the boarding school complex.
"Oh my God, please help, my son is still buried!" Following the cries of other parents experiencing comparable losses, a mother broke down in tears as she saw her child's name written on the board.
Holding one of the rescue squad members' hands, a parent begged, "Please, sir, please find my child immediately."
According to Nanang Sigit, a search and rescue officer in charge of the operation, search and rescue attempts were impeded by unstable portions of the building, heavy slabs of concrete, and debris.
Although heavy machinery was available, it was not being used because of worries that it might lead to additional collapse.
"While we work hard to get them out, we have been running oxygen and water to those who are still trapped under the debris and keeping them alive," Sigit stated.
Rescuers were concentrating on saving the people who were still alive, he continued, even though they had discovered multiple bodies beneath the debris.
With breathing apparatus, extrication instruments, medical evacuation equipment, and other support items, several hundred rescuers took part in the mission.
