Sad News From Cianjur, 12-year-old Female Student Killed By Wall While Drying Clothes

Disaster Resilient Volunteers (Retana) in Cikalongkulon Sub-district, Cianjur, West Java, conducted data collection regarding a wall that collapsed on a female student and killed her, Tuesday (12/28/2021). ANTARA/Ahmad Fikri)

CIANJUR - A female student at the Al Ikhlas Islamic Boarding School in Cimuncang Village, Mekarsari Village, Cikalongkulon District, Cianjur, West Java, was killed when the retaining wall (TPT) collapsed and the Cianjur BPBD assessed that the incident was due to negligence and not due to a natural disaster.

Secretary of BPBD Cianjur, Rudi Labis, said the victim, on behalf of Aura Reksa Amalia (12) at the time of the incident, was drying clothes and her back to the TPT in the Islamic boarding school environment which suddenly collapsed and fell on the victim's body.

"The report we received was that the victim was drying clothes and was immediately hit by the TPT which was suspected to be unable to withstand the load. This case occurred due to the negligence of the owner who did not pay attention to the strength of the wall and not due to a natural disaster," said Rudi, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, December 28.

He appealed to residents and building owners to be more careful and always make sure the building or the walls of the building are in decent condition. Because several incidents were reported, although they did not result in fatalities.

"We hope this becomes an example for other residents, to be diligent and routinely look at the condition of the building, whether the retaining wall or house construction. We hope that the same thing will not happen again so far it has been the concern of all parties," he said. The retaining wall in the Islamic boarding school is old and in a prone condition to collapse. Even several times residents gave warnings so that children and students did not play or do activities at the location.

"We have often warned children or santri not to play near the TPT because it started to look wobbly and finally collapsed. No one thought that the wall would collapse because there was no rain or wind," said a resident eyewitness around Wawan.