A woman was killed after protecting her son when their house collapsed yesterday morning in the East Java capital of Surabaya.
The second floor of the house, located in Tambaksari district, collapsed when the mother, identified as 38-year-old FRW, was on the ground floor with her 13-year-old son NA and her mother-in-law, 57-year-old NS.
According to a neighbor who saw the family just before the incident, FRW was with NA when he was attending online class in the living room. The mother appeared to be protecting her son in an embrace when they were found under the rubble.
At the time of the incident, NS was in the backyard while FW’s husband, identified as HM, was at the auto workshop where he works.
A joint team of officials and residents nearby carried out the evacuation, with the boy being evacuated first, followed by his mother and grandmother. FRW was immediately given oxygen shortly after her rescue, and the three of them were transported to the nearest hospital. Unfortunately, FRW passed away during the journey.
Both NA and NS are currently being treated at the hospital, with the former reportedly experiencing pain in his stomach.
Tambaksari sub-precinct chief Akhyar said that the collapse might have been caused by the old and weathered wooden floors, which had also been eaten up by termites. In addition, there was heavy furniture, including beds and wardrobes, placed on the second floor.
Reader Interactions