One dead in Java school collapse as dozens still trapped

Jakarta [Indonesia], October 2: Rescuers in Indonesia pulled one person alive and recovered a body from the rubble of a collapsed Islamic boarding school on Wednesday, as officials warned that more than 90 others may still be trapped.
The Al Khoziny school in East Java's Sidoarjo district caved in on Monday afternoon during a concrete-pouring operation, according to the national disaster management agency.
"One victim was pulled out alive and immediately taken to hospital, while the other was found dead," National Search and Rescue Agency chief Mohammad Syafii said.
The latest discovery brought the death toll to four, after one body was recovered on Monday and two more on Tuesday.
The National Disaster Management Agency said earlier Wednesday that 91 people remained unaccounted for. The initial estimate had put the number of missing at 38, mostly teenage students.
About 100 others survived and 26 remain hospitalized with injuries.
More than 330 personnel including from the military, police and local disaster units are searching for survivors, using only hand tools to avoid further collapse.
Syafii said rescuers had identified 15 points where people could be trapped and detected signs of life at six of them. Survivors located alive are being supplied with food and water through narrow openings.
The building, only months old and still under construction, had already been in use for lessons and prayers. Witnesses told local media the structure groaned before collapsing within seconds as workers poured concrete for a fourth floor.
School officials believe a support column may have buckled under the load.
Parents have gathered at a nearby crisis center, scanning lists of those rescued or confirmed dead.
"I have been coming here since yesterday, checking the list again and again," said one mother, Susi, whose teenage son was still missing.
Source: Qatar Tribune