Alfamart Building in South Kalimantan's Banjar Collapses; 3 People Still Trapped

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A building which housed an Alfamart convenience store on Jalan Ahmad Yani, Gambut District, Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan collapsed on Monday afternoon, April 18. The police suspected that five people were still trapped in the three-story building. The evacuation process was still afoot as of last night.

“It is estimated that there were 16 victims, including six employees. Eight of them have been evacuated safely and three people died,” said South Kalimantan Police Chief Inspector General Rikwanto on Monday.

He stated that investigators would immediately examine the cause and had asked the Surabaya Police’s Forensic Laboratory Team to conduct an examination and process the crime scene.

Rikwanto initially assessed that the incident occurred because of its old structures. As informed by local residents, he added, the collapsed building was about 20 years old.

In addition, the building stood on a previously swamp or peat area and was often flooded. “So this is an old building and was rented by Alfamart,” he concluded.

A number of witnesses stated that the building had cracked a few seconds before it collapsed completely. Alfamart's Corporate Affairs Director, Solihin, said his side would cover the medical expenses and provide compensation for all victims.

Read: Alfamart, Indomaret Take Kinder Products Off Shelves

ANTARA