This is a very serious incident. We must return to the importance of complying with construction standards,Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) emphasized the importance of enforcing public building construction standards.
He made this statement in response to the collapse of the prayer room at the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, East Java.
"This is a very serious incident. We must return to the importance of complying with construction standards," he said at the 54th Earoph Regional Conference in Jakarta on Monday.
AHY said he had coordinated with the Minister of Public Works regarding the incident and expressed his deep condolences for the victims of the collapsed building.
According to AHY, the government’s primary focus since the start of the incident has been on rescuing victims.
However, evacuation efforts have been hindered by the poor condition of the building and large debris that pose a danger to those still trapped.
The minister also instructed local governments to conduct thorough inspections of public buildings, such as schools, hospitals, and Islamic boarding schools, to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
"We need standard operating procedures because they have been researched and proven. Let us work together to prevent another incident that results in casualties like this," he emphasized.
The prayer room on the third floor of the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School collapsed on September 29 while undergoing renovations. Hundreds of students praying in congregation at the time were trapped under the rubble.
More than 400 search and rescue (SAR) personnel were deployed to assist in the evacuation. However, the rescue effort was hampered by the unstable structure and the risk of further collapses.
Data from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) as of Monday at 2:45 p.m. local time recorded the death toll at 53, while six victims were still receiving medical treatment. A total of 97 people had completed treatment, including one victim who did not require further care.
President Prabowo Subianto also responded to the tragedy by ordering the Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, Muhaimin Iskandar, to conduct a structural audit of all Islamic boarding schools to prevent similar incidents.
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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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