In some cases around the world a focus on the proper construction of buildings and the safety of the building’s inhabitants is disregarded. Perhaps time-efficiency is prioritized over safety. Or, perhaps cost-effective construction procedures hold precedence over the lives involved.

This was definitely the case for the many buildings that collapsed on May 12, 2008 during the Wenchuan earthquake in the Sichuan province of China. The earthquake was an astounding 8.0 on the Richter scale. It left 69,016 dead, 398,545 injured and 18,830 missing in its aftermath.

Of the fallen buildings in Sichuan, the majority were the 7,000 classrooms dispersed throughout the province. In contrast, several surrounding buildings remained unaffected indicating a definite flaw with the schools’ structural soundness. The victims within these poorly built schools totaled 5,881 children – 5,335 of which were killed, the other 546 injured.

An inspection by experts in earthquake engineering revealed that foundations initially built to support one or two floors were gradually layered with additional floors as the population grew, and related construction materials used had not been strong enough. Also, many buildings were constructed without proper supportive columns, and one was built upon a river bend of shifting soil and sinking sand.

If a strict building regime that followed earthquake zone standards had been implemented the percentage of fatalities would have been significantly reduced.

The Wenchuan earthquake has induced critical, extensive planning in the reconstruction of future schools and other buildings. Finally, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Rural Development (MHURD) has invoked a countrywide analysis and proper redevelopment of schools against the impact of earthquakes. The poorly built schools made evident the lack of attention to these details in the past.

Unfortunately, certain lessons are learned post-tragedy. The government of Sichuan has learned that safety regulations in regard to the province’s infrastructure is not an issue that allows for oversight.

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