Rescue teams in Indonesia are battling against time and treacherous conditions following the catastrophic collapse of an Islamic school in West Java province, with the death toll rising to at least three and fears growing for those still missing.
The devastating incident occurred on Monday afternoon at the Al-Zaytun boarding school in the village of Cijedil, Cianjur regency, sending panic through the local community as parents rushed to the scene searching for their children.
Desperate Search Through the Night
Emergency workers have been working through the night under floodlights, carefully removing debris by hand and with heavy machinery in a race against time to find survivors. The sound of crying parents and shouting rescuers has filled the air as the operation continues into its critical hours.
"We can still hear voices from beneath the rubble," said local emergency services coordinator Ahmad Rizal, his face etched with exhaustion. "Our teams are working with extreme caution because we know children are trapped in there. Every second counts."
Young Victims and Growing Casualties
Among the confirmed fatalities are three young students, while at least seven others have been rushed to nearby hospitals with serious injuries. Medical teams have established an emergency triage centre at the scene to treat the wounded immediately upon extraction.
The exact number of children still unaccounted for remains unclear, adding to the anguish of families who have gathered at the perimeter of the disaster site, many weeping and praying for their children's safe return.
Questions Over Building Safety
Preliminary investigations suggest the two-storey school building may have suffered structural failures, though the exact cause of the collapse remains under investigation. Local authorities have promised a full inquiry into whether proper building standards were maintained.
This tragedy has raised urgent questions about school building safety standards across Indonesia, particularly in rural areas where infrastructure may not meet modern construction requirements.
As dawn breaks over West Java, rescue operations continue with renewed determination, though hopes fade with each passing hour in what has become every parent's worst nightmare.
