Six still in hospital in Aug. 17 tragedy

JAKARTA (JP): For some people, this year's celebration of Independence Day turned into a tragedy they would never forget.

Three people were killed and 14 others injured when the porch of a poorly constructed two-story house collapsed in Kebayoran Lama on Friday during the celebration of Independence Day.

On Sunday, six people were still receiving treatment for their injuries.

Among them is Ayu Wulandari, a five-and-a-half-year old girl who could not even open her eyes as they were severely swollen and bruised.

She lies helplessly at Pertamina Hospital in South Jakarta. Her head is bandaged as it was severely injured from being hit by fragments of the house.

Ayu's mother, Sanikem, is unable to take care of her as she herself is lying in bed at home.

Sanikem was accompanying Ayu when the incident happened. Ayu was taking part in a game called "shirt buttoning". In the traditional game, participants are given a shirt and have to do up the buttons as quickly as they can.

According to Sanikem's sister Sri Rahayu, Sanikem actually should be hospitalized. She had five stitches on her head and one of her ribs and her right leg were broken, Sri said.

"The doctor advised her to undergo surgery, but she refused, considering that Ayu's treatment alone will be too costly to manage," Sri told The Jakarta Post.

Before her family took Sanikem home, they brought her to a traditional medical practitioner.

"But until now, she is unable to move... she can't even sit," Sri added.

At the emergency unit of the hospital, Makmur Budihardja was caring for her daughter in-law, Hesti, 24.

"She's in great pain right now, she can't even talk," Makmur said, adding that his daughter in-law had undergone two operations and will have another one tomorrow.

Iron rods punctured Hesti's sides, wounding her kidney and intestines. Cuts and bruises covered her face.

Makmur hoped his son Wandi, who is currently working on an oil rig in Malaysia, would be here soon.

"When he is here, everything will be fine," Makmur a resident of Bandung, West Java, said.

Another victim is Sukanti, 20, one of the Independence Day game organizers, who is being treated at Fatmawati Hospital, South Jakarta.

Her jaw is broken, as well as her right shoulder and leg.

"She is still unable to speak, but at least her condition is not deteriorating. On the first day, blood kept flowing from her mouth and nose," her mother told the Post.

Being the first in her family to achieve university education, Sukanti's parents have high hopes for her.

Her father vowed to do everything within his capacity to ensure his daughter's recovery.

According to her mother, Sukanti would undergo surgery tomorrow and several other operations when her condition had improved.

Sukanti was about to begin her fourth semester at Veteran University in Pondok Labu, East Jakarta, where she studies banking.

"I hope she will be able to continue her education as she is our hope to improve the family's social status," said Sukatman, who sells chicken noodles at the Mayestic market.

The family said they would not file any charges nor bear any grudge against Suharno, the owner of the house which collapsed.

"He is of the same economic class as us, we can't expect anything from him anyway," said Sunarti.

Meanwhile police have questioned three other organizers of the tragic Independence Day games.

Suharno and his family have gone missing.(06)