Construction site hit by heavy rain

BOGOR: Six blocks of two-story shop-houses buildings -- intended to be shops with upstairs living arrangements -- under construction on Jl. Tajur alongside the Cibalok River, collapsed on Saturday evening when the river flooded, following heavy rain.

No fatalities were reported, as all the construction workers left the building site for an early dinner at about 5 p.m.

Raymond, a resident who witnessed the incident, told Tempointeraktif that the flood brought down the 20-meter iron rods used to reinforce the buildings.

The construction site, reportedly owned by businessman Ranuwijaya, violates regulations stipulating buildings must be situated at least 50 meters away from the riverbank.

But despite the resident's objections the construction proceeded after the administration issued a permit. -- JP