A grieving man was crushed to death by his own
mother’s coffin during her funeral procession.
Samen Kondorura, 40, was carrying his mom Berta’s
coffin during a service in Indonesia’s Parinding valley, in the North Toraja
district.
Dozens of onlookers were filmed watching the
elaborate ceremony, as pallbearers made their way up a wooden ladder.
They waited for a brief moment, waiting for helpers
to dress the lakkian, a tower where the deceased is placed.
As they resumed the procession, one pallbearer
missed his step shifting the ladder, which collapsed almost immediately.
Dozens were sent flying onto the ground, with
horrified onlookers screaming and rushing to Kondorura’s aid.
After he was struck, Kondorura was taken to a
hospital, where he died.
Julianto Sirait, chief commissioner of the Tana
Toraja resort police force, told AFP: “As the mother’s coffin was being raised
to the lakkian, suddenly the ladder shifted and collapsed, the coffin fell and
hit the victim.”
Local news site Khaleej Times claimed the ladder was
not properly secured by local authorities.
But Kondorura’s loved ones decided not to sue
officials.
Kondorara’s body has been laid to rest beside his
mother, it has been reported.
Indonesian tradition requires the casket to be placed
on a lakkian, a carved tower where funeral rites are read.
Such ceremonies can last for days, with services
involving music, dance and the sacrifice of water buffalo