Six still in hospital in Aug. 17 tragedy

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)