Indonesian emergency workers are in a desperate race against time to rescue dozens of people feared trapped under the rubble of a collapsed Islamic boarding school in East Java. The tragic incident, which occurred during afternoon prayers on Monday, has so far claimed at least three lives, left nearly 80 injured, and plunged the Sidoarjo community into mourning.
The collapse happened at the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School, located about 780 kilometres east of Jakarta. Witnesses described scenes of panic and despair as the building gave way without warning, sending walls and ceilings crashing down on students and construction workers inside.
According to Mohammad Syafii, head of Indonesia’s national search and rescue agency, the official toll stood at three confirmed dead and 99 survivors as of Tuesday morning. Among those rescued, dozens were rushed to local hospitals, where medical teams are working around the clock to treat injuries ranging from broken bones to head trauma. “We are still trying to account for 38 people who may be trapped beneath the debris,” Syafii said, stressing the urgency of the ongoing operation.
Families in Anguish
Outside the disaster site, hundreds of anxious family members gathered, clinging to hope as they waited for news of their loved ones. Volunteers set up a whiteboard near the collapsed building to list the names of survivors pulled from the rubble. Local television network KompasTV broadcast footage of parents and relatives scanning the list with tears in their eyes, some breaking down in grief when names were not found.
“We just want to know if our children are safe,” said one parent, whose teenage son was inside the building when it fell. “Waiting is the hardest part.”
Rescue Operation Under Pressure
Rescuers have deployed excavators and cranes to clear away heavy debris. However, the operation is being conducted with extreme caution. Nanang Sigit, a senior local rescue official, explained that using heavy machinery in certain sections could cause further collapse and endanger those still trapped. “We are combining manual digging with machinery to avoid triggering additional cave-ins,” he said.
Emergency personnel are working in shifts, battling fatigue as they continue their search through the night. The operation has been complicated by unstable weather conditions and the fragility of what remains of the structure. Search dogs have also been brought in to help locate survivors.
Structural Failures at the Core
Preliminary investigations point to serious structural weaknesses as the likely cause of the collapse. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported that the school building had been undergoing expansion work. Authorities say the structure, originally designed for three floors, was not adequately reinforced to support a fourth level.
“The foundations were not strong enough to carry the additional weight,” explained Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the agency. “The collapse was sudden, giving those inside little chance to escape.”
Construction work had reportedly finished earlier that day, just hours before students gathered for afternoon prayers. Tragically, it was during this moment of devotion that the structure gave way.
Voices from the Community
Caretaker Abdus Salam Mujib, speaking to state news agency Antara, expressed regret that warnings about the building’s stability had not been taken more seriously. “The foundations were weak. We knew it could not withstand additional construction, but the work continued,” he said. His words have added to growing anger within the local community, where questions are being raised about building safety standards and oversight.
The tragedy has drawn attention to a broader issue in Indonesia: the frequency of building collapses linked to poor construction practices and weak enforcement of safety regulations. In recent years, the country has seen multiple fatal incidents involving schools, homes, and public infrastructure.
Government Response
Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo has expressed condolences to the victims and pledged that the government will support affected families. In a statement, he also ordered a thorough investigation into the incident, vowing that those responsible for negligence would face legal consequences. “We cannot allow our children to die in unsafe schools,” Widodo said.
Local authorities have also promised to tighten inspection and monitoring of school construction projects in East Java and beyond. The Sidoarjo district government announced plans to provide temporary schooling facilities for displaced students of Al Khoziny while the search and rescue effort continues.
International Sympathy
Messages of solidarity have begun pouring in from around the world. Aid organisations have offered assistance, while neighbouring countries such as Malaysia and Singapore have expressed their condolences. Islamic organisations in particular have extended prayers and support, noting the tragic timing of the collapse during afternoon worship.
A Community in Mourning
For many families, the Al Khoziny boarding school is more than just an educational institution—it is a spiritual and cultural hub. Students often live on campus, forming close-knit communities that blend religious study with daily life. The sudden destruction of such a place has left a deep wound in the town of Sidoarjo.
Local resident Halimah Sari, who lost her nephew in the collapse, described the disaster as “a nightmare that has shaken our faith.” Yet she also praised the bravery of rescuers who have risked their lives digging through unstable ruins. “We see them working tirelessly. We pray they bring more children out alive,” she said.
Looking Ahead
As the search for survivors continues, experts warn that recovery and rebuilding will take months, if not years. Structural engineers have already been dispatched to assess nearby buildings for safety, fearing that similar weaknesses could pose risks in the future.
For now, however, the focus remains on the 38 souls still unaccounted for beneath the rubble. Each passing hour makes survival less likely, but rescuers insist they will not give up. “We are committed to finding them, no matter how long it takes,” said Syafii.
The tragedy at Al Khoziny boarding school is a sobering reminder of the need for strict enforcement of construction standards in Indonesia, where rapid development often collides with inadequate safety oversight. As families wait in anguish and a nation grieves, the collapse has sparked a national conversation about the balance between progress and protection.
For Sidoarjo, the scars will remain long after the rubble is cleared. But amid the heartbreak, the determination of rescuers and the solidarity of the community stand as a testament to Indonesia’s resilience in the face of tragedy.
