School Boundary Wall Collapses in Sleman, Injuring 10 During Independence Day Walk

Ten participants of a fun walk in Sleman, Yogyakarta Special Region, were injured and had to be taken to hospital after being struck by a collapsing boundary wall belonging to SDN Minomartani 2 in Ngaglik on Sunday morning (9/8).

Head of Public Relations for Sleman Police, First Inspector Argo Anggoro, said the incident occurred at around 8:00 a.m. Western Indonesia Time. At the time, a number of residents were resting and sitting near the school’s boundary wall, which borders a public facility used by residents of RW 002 in the Minomartani housing complex, Ngaglik, Sleman.

According to Argo, the residents had just taken part in a fun walk and group exercise to commemorate the 81st anniversary of Indonesian independence.

“The wall then collapsed and fell on residents who were in the vicinity,” Argo said in a statement on Sunday afternoon.

As a result, ten victims were reported injured. They were identified as ASAF, S (64), KM (70), ADS (34), AN (31), FN (30), SL (40), and L, all residents of Minomartani.

Also injured were LSAF (34), a resident of Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, and BRIS (28) from Selong, East Lombok.

According to Argo, six victims received treatment at Condongcatur Hospital, two at Hermina Hospital, and the remainder at UAD Hospital. Some of them were later referred for further treatment.

Argo added that based on a crime scene investigation, the collapsed wall was made of concrete blocks and cement. It stood approximately 1.5 metres high and 20 metres long. Preliminary information suggests the wall had been standing since around 1980.

“Officers found that the wall lacked adequate foundations and steel reinforcement,” Argo said.

“At the time of the incident, no one was found to be active near or in contact with the wall. The exact cause of the collapse remains under investigation,” he continued.

Argo said officers from Ngaglik Police, together with a joint team, had secured the area around the scene in coordination with the Regional Disaster Management Agency and the National Search and Rescue Agency.

Argo stated that the Sleman Regency Government has pledged to cover the medical expenses of the victims, while the Sleman Education Office will rebuild the boundary wall with stronger and safer construction.