Indonesian School Collapse Kills 5, Leaves 59 Missing Under Rubble

A tragic incident occurred at the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia, where a building collapse during afternoon prayers resulted in at least five confirmed deaths and left 59 people missing under the rubble.

“A building collapse at the Al-Khoziny Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia, on September 29 has resulted in at least one confirmed death—a 13-year-old boy—and 65 students feared trapped under rubble”

Mint

The collapse happened while the building was undergoing unauthorized construction to add two additional floors to the existing two-story structure.

Mint

The foundation was unable to support the extra weight, leading to the disaster.

Rescue teams, including police and soldiers, have been working tirelessly to locate survivors, using thermal-sensing drones and other high-tech equipment to navigate the unstable debris.

The operation is complicated by the narrow access tunnels and the risk of further collapse, prompting rescuers to proceed with extreme caution.

The rescue operation has been a race against time, as the critical 72-hour survival window for those trapped under the rubble has ended.

Nearly 220 workers, including ambulances, are on site, but the chances of finding more survivors are diminishing.

9News.au

Families of the missing students have agreed to the use of heavy equipment, although rescuers are proceeding with extreme caution to avoid further destabilizing the structure.

The use of heavy machinery marks a shift from manual searches to more aggressive debris removal methods, as no new signs of life have been detected despite thermal scans.

The collapse has raised serious concerns about building safety standards in Indonesia, particularly regarding unauthorized construction.

“An Islamic boarding school building in East Java, Indonesia, collapsed during afternoon prayers, trapping dozens of young students”

DW

The building was undergoing an expansion without proper permits, adding two floors to the existing structure, which the foundation could not support.

This incident has sparked a broader discussion on the need for stricter regulations and enforcement to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse, focusing on the construction practices and the lack of safety permits.

The emotional toll on the families of the missing students is immense as they anxiously await news at hospitals and the site of the collapse.

Many parents have expressed frustration and desperation, urging for faster rescue efforts.

Kalinga TV

The community has come together to support the affected families, with residents near the school offering shelter and assistance.

The tragedy has highlighted the vulnerability of students in such institutions and the urgent need for improved safety measures.