Islamic School Building Collapses in Indonesia — At Least 65 Students Feared Trapped Under Rubble
At least 65 students are feared trapped after an Islamic school building collapsed in Indonesia. Rescue operations are underway as authorities race against time to find survivors
Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia — A tragic incident unfolded at the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Buduran, Sidoarjo, East Java, when a section of the school building under construction collapsed during afternoon prayers. As rescue operations continued, authorities reported at least one student dead, dozens injured, and 65 students feared buried under rubble, with that number evolving as search operations progressed.
The collapse occurred in the prayer hall of the Al Khoziny boarding school while students were performing afternoon prayers. The building was undergoing an expansion—adding two extra concrete floors to a structure originally designed for two stories—without proper authorization.
Local disaster management officials stated that the foundation of the original structure was inadequate to support the additional load of the new construction. During the process of pouring concrete for the extra floors, the building suddenly gave way.
Deaths: At least one student has been confirmed dead following the collapse.
Injuries: Over 100 students were injured, including many with serious injuries. Some are in critical condition.
Missing / Presumed Trapped: Initially, 65 students were reported missing, feared buried under the debris. Later updates reduced the officially missing count to 38, though emotional scenes continue as families await news and hope for survivors.
Rescue teams including police, soldiers, and disaster response units worked throughout the night and into the following day, digging through unstable concrete and steel-reinforced debris to reach survivors.
Challenges hampered rescue efforts: the rubble was unstable, risk of further collapse persisted, so heavy machinery use was cautious. Rescuers provided oxygen and water to those trapped while waiting for removal.
Several survivors were rescued more than eight hours after the collapse.
The building expansion was reportedly done without permits, violating regulations and ignoring structural safety checks.
Experts and authorities suggest that the original foundation was not designed to carry additional concrete floors, which likely led to the structural failure when the extra load was applied.
Al Khoziny is a well-known Islamic boarding school (“pesantren” in Indonesia), housing over 2,000 students, ranging from junior high to college age.
Most of the injured are male students, largely because female students were praying in a separate section of the hall that was less affected.
Families have been gathering at hospitals and around the collapse site, anxiously watching lists of survivors, calling out missing names, pleading for updates. Emotional distress among parents and relatives has been palpable.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency of Indonesia is leading rescue operations and coordinating responses. Local police and provincial officials are also investigating the collapse.
Authorities have pledged to investigate why permits were ignored and how the unsafe construction was allowed. The building’s foundation will be examined, along with oversight by local construction and regulatory bodies.
This tragedy highlights systemic issues of building safety, especially in religious or private institutions where regulations may be loosely enforced. The promise of adding floors or expanding facilities must always be matched with structural integrity, proper engineering, and legal approvals.
Indonesia has tens of thousands of pesantren (Islamic boarding schools), many of which operate with limited oversight and resources. The pressure to expand and accommodate more students can lead to risky shortcuts.
The incident has sparked public outcry over regulatory negligence. Questions are being asked: Why did local authorities not enforce rules? Were inspections skipped? Was there awareness of the risk before collapse?
Permitting and regulatory compliance must be strictly enforced for expansions, especially in school environments. No building should be modified without proper structural assessments.
Engineering and foundation strength must match the intended load. If a building is designed for two stories, adding more floors requires reinforcing the foundation and structure.
Routine inspections by qualified civil engineers or building safety authorities, especially when modifications or expansions are planned.
Emergency response training and infrastructure in schools; ensuring that evacuation routes are clear, that students and staff know how to react, and that buildings are designed with safety in mind (e.g., avoiding structural vulnerabilities, using materials suited for load, avoiding unauthorized construction).
Accountability for those who authorize unauthorized construction, including local officials, contractors, and school administrations.
Rescue efforts are ongoing. The search for survivors continues, with hopes tempered by the risk of further collapse. As of the latest verified reports, 38 are officially reported missing though earlier estimates were higher.
The government has promised a full investigation. Findings will likely determine legal responsibility and whether local building codes or oversight were breached.
Relief measures are being considered: medical support, psychological aid for survivors and families, and possible compensation for losses.
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