Indonesia Islamic School Collapse: 65 Students Feared Trapped, 1 Dead, 99 Injured

In East Java’s Sidoarjo, Indonesia, Islamic School Collapse: 65 Students Feared Trapped, 1 Dead, 99 Injured. A devastating tragedy struck Indonesia’s East Java province on Monday, September 29, when the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in the town of Sidoarjo suddenly collapsed during afternoon prayers. The under-construction multi-storey building caved in on students, leaving at least one dead, 99 injured, and around 65 feared trapped under rubble, according to reports from AP, AFP, and state news agency Antara.

The collapse has not only triggered massive search and rescue operations but also renewed concerns about construction standards and safety violations in Indonesia, where similar incidents have occurred in recent years.

Indonesia Islamic School Collapse: 65 Students Feared Trapped, 1 Dead, 99 Injured

Scene of the Tragedy

More than 100 students had assembled for afternoon prayers in the building when disaster struck. Witnesses reported a thunderous crash as the structure, which was undergoing expansion, crumbled onto those inside.

“The building collapsed right after concrete was poured for the third floor,” said Abdus Salam Mujib, one of the heads of the school. He explained that while the upper levels were being used as classrooms and activity rooms, the ground floor served as the prayer hall where the students had gathered.

Within minutes, chaos engulfed the scene. Survivors described clouds of dust, screams of panic, and frantic attempts by teachers and residents to pull students out of the debris.

Rescue Operations: Racing Against Time

Emergency responders, including police, soldiers, and rescue workers, rushed to the scene and began digging through the rubble immediately. Heavy slabs of concrete and twisted steel made access difficult, forcing rescuers to alternate between manual digging and heavy equipment.

“We have been running oxygen and water to those still trapped under the debris and keeping them alive while we work hard to get them out,” said Nanang Sigit, who is leading the rescue operations.

By late night, rescuers had pulled out eight survivors who were weak and injured but still alive after being buried for more than eight hours. Tragically, they also recovered the body of a 13-year-old boy, confirming at least one fatality.

Officials have warned that the death toll is expected to rise, as rescuers have already seen additional bodies beneath the wreckage.

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Victims: Mostly Male Students

According to survivors, most of the victims were male students, since female students were praying in a separate hall and managed to escape when the collapse happened.

Out of more than 170 students present, at least 99 were injured, many with head injuries, broken bones, and trauma. Several are in critical condition at nearby hospitals.

Families gathered outside hospitals and the collapsed site, anxiously awaiting news of their children. Television footage showed relatives weeping and clutching each other as ambulances transported injured students away.

Unauthorised Expansion Blamed for Collapse

Authorities have confirmed that the building was undergoing an unauthorised expansion at the time of the collapse.

The original prayer hall was only two stories high, but school administrators had added two extra floors without permits. Police spokesperson Jules Abraham Abast revealed that the old foundation could not withstand the weight of two additional concrete floors, especially during the pouring process.

“The foundation was apparently unable to support the added structure,” Abast said, adding that structural weakness and lack of official approval were primary causes of the collapse.

This revelation has raised serious questions about oversight, safety checks, and illegal construction practices in Indonesia, where building collapses have claimed lives in the past.

Eyewitness Accounts: Panic and Desperation

Students who survived described the horror of the moment. One said they had just bowed for prayer when the building “shook and suddenly came crashing down.” Another recounted being trapped under debris until teachers and residents pulled him out.

Television broadcasts showed the agonizing rescue scenes, with rescuers carrying out bloodied and dust-covered children, many of whom were barely conscious.

Parents waiting nearby broke down as rescuers pulled out an injured student from the buried hall, underscoring the desperate emotional toll of the tragedy.

Search Continues with Hundreds of Rescuers

Authorities deployed several hundred rescuers armed with breathing apparatus, extrication tools, medical evacuation kits, and heavy machinery to continue the overnight operation.

Rescue teams are working tirelessly, rotating shifts to ensure the non-stop search for survivors. “We are focusing on saving those who are still alive,” said Nanang Sigit. “We have seen several bodies but our priority is survival.”

As of the latest reports, oxygen pipes and water supplies are being directed into pockets where survivors are believed to be trapped. However, unstable debris and collapsing slabs continue to hinder efforts.

Similar Incidents and Broader Safety Concerns

This tragedy comes just days after another building collapse in West Java, where a structure hosting a prayer recital fell, killing three people and injuring dozens.

Experts argue that rapid urban growth, poor enforcement of building regulations, and widespread unauthorized construction are contributing to such disasters.

Indonesia’s vulnerability to earthquakes and natural disasters further highlights the urgent need for stronger construction standards to prevent future tragedies.

Government Response and Investigation

Police have launched a formal investigation into the collapse. Questions are being raised about whether local authorities overlooked illegal construction or failed to conduct proper safety inspections.

The East Java provincial government has promised to hold those responsible accountable and ensure that victims’ families receive medical and financial support.

Meanwhile, community organizations and volunteers are stepping in to provide food, shelter, and counseling for survivors and grieving families.

Human Toll: Families Await News

For many families, the wait for information is agonizing. Parents and relatives have camped outside hospitals and the school site, clinging to hope for their children’s survival.

One mother, tears streaming down her face, told local reporters: “I just want to know if my son is alive. I don’t care if he is hurt, I only want him back.”

The tragedy has devastated the close-knit Sidoarjo community, which is now grappling with grief and shock.

Outlook: Rising Death Toll Feared

Rescuers admit that the number of casualties may climb as the operation continues. With many still missing, officials have prepared hospitals and morgues for a possible increase in victims.

For now, Indonesia mourns yet another avoidable tragedy caused by unsafe construction practices, while families wait desperately for news of their loved ones.

Final Word

The Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school collapse in Sidoarjo, East Java, is a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of unauthorized construction and weak building standards. With 65 students still feared trapped, one confirmed dead, and nearly 100 injured, the tragedy has shocked Indonesia and underscored the urgent need for stricter safety enforcement.

As rescue teams work tirelessly to save lives, the nation watches with heavy hearts, hoping that more children can still be pulled alive from beneath the rubble.

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