Key Highlights –
- 54 confirmed dead, including five partial remains, after East Java boarding school collapse.
- 13 students remain missing as search and rescue teams work around the clock.
- Preliminary investigations point to unauthorised construction as a likely cause.
A routine afternoon at the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in East Java turned tragic when the building collapsed while students were gathered for prayers. Within moments, the roof and upper floors gave way, leaving the structure in ruins and resulting in significant casualties. The collapse has been described as one of Indonesia’s deadliest disasters of 2025.
Rescue Efforts Continue Amid Rubble and Grief
Over the past week, rescue teams have been systematically removing debris to recover victims. As of Monday morning, authorities confirmed 54 fatalities, including five partial remains, while 13 students remain missing. Families of the victims have been closely monitoring the recovery efforts, which continue around the clock under extremely challenging conditions.
Rescue operations have been both physically and emotionally demanding. Teams have worked with jackhammers, circular saws, and even bare hands to reach pockets of debris where survivors or victims may be trapped. Officials noted that the use of heavy machinery only began after the first 72 hours, commonly referred to as the “golden period” for rescue operations, had passed.
Yudhi Bramantyo, operations director at the National Search and Rescue Agency, said, “We are committed to recovering all missing individuals as quickly as possible and returning the victims to their families with dignity.”
Unsafe Construction Work Likely Behind Collapse
Preliminary investigations suggest that the collapse was likely caused by ongoing construction work. Reports indicate that two additional floors were being added to the existing two-storey building without proper permits, putting excessive stress on the structure. Mudji Irmawan, a construction expert, explained, “The structure could not support the load while the concrete was being poured for the third floor.”
Authorities have warned that this incident highlights the risks of unregulated construction, particularly in smaller towns and informal institutions. Many local buildings are expanded without proper structural oversight, leaving them vulnerable to sudden collapse.
Collapse Exposes Deep Flaws in Building Safety Standards
Deputy head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Budi Irawan, remarked, “Out of all disasters this year, natural or man-made, none have resulted in as many fatalities as this incident in Sidoarjo.”
Al Khoziny is a traditional pesantren, or Islamic boarding school, many of which operate independently and without consistent government oversight. It remains unclear whether the school had official permission for the construction work that was underway. Previous incidents in Indonesia have highlighted similar safety concerns, including a prayer hall collapse in West Java in September, which resulted in three deaths and multiple injuries.
Chaos and Fear Engulfed Students as the Indonesia School Collapses
Survivor accounts reveal the human toll of the disaster. 13-year-old Muhammad Rijalul Qoib told local media that he narrowly escaped after hearing the sound of falling debris. “The sound grew louder and louder. I ran for the door and managed to escape, but debris hit my back,” he said. Other students described the roof and walls collapsing around them, leaving no time to react.
Medical teams have been on site providing immediate care to the injured. Hospitals in the area reported treating several students for injuries ranging from fractures to minor cuts and bruises. Tragically, at least two students who were rescued alive later succumbed to their injuries in hospital, further increasing the death toll.
Government Pledges Investigation and Stricter Safety Enforcement
Authorities have pledged a full investigation into the incident, focusing on the building’s structural integrity, adherence to safety standards, and possible negligence in construction. The disaster has also renewed calls for stricter building regulations across Indonesia, with experts warning that similar tragedies could occur if oversight remains weak.
For now, East Java is in mourning as families, students, and the local community come to terms with the loss of young lives at the Al Khoziny boarding school. The tragedy has left an indelible mark, highlighting both the fragility of infrastructure and the urgent need for vigilance in building safety.
