Indonesia School Collapse Death Toll Rises to Nine

Tragedy Strikes Islamic Boarding School in East Java

The death toll from the catastrophic collapse of an Islamic boarding school in Indonesia's East Java province has risen to nine, with rescue workers continuing their desperate search for more than 50 students still trapped beneath the rubble. The tragedy occurred at the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo when the building's prayer hall collapsed during afternoon prayers on Monday, trapping approximately 160 people inside.

Desperate Rescue Efforts Continue

Rescue teams have been working around the clock for days, digging tunnels through the massive concrete slabs that complicate the search operation. 'We are racing against time to find any survivors still trapped in the debris,' said a rescue coordinator at the scene. 'The families have given us permission to use heavy equipment, even though it might damage the bodies of their children - that's how desperate the situation has become.'

The collapse happened when the century-old building, which was undergoing unauthorized expansion to add two new stories, gave way under the weight of additional concrete floors. Most of the affected students were boys aged 13-19 who were praying in the hall when the structure collapsed. The girls were praying in a different section of the building and escaped injury.

Building Safety Concerns Emerge

The tragedy has raised serious questions about building safety standards in Indonesia's private Islamic schools, known as pesantren. 'Many of these private schools are built with local funds and limited technical knowledge,' explained Mustafa Marghadi, a Southeast Asia correspondent. 'Unlike public buildings that receive oversight from national authorities, private constructions often lack proper engineering supervision, especially during renovations.'

According to construction safety experts, Indonesia has implemented significant building safety reforms through Law Number 11 of 2020 and Government Regulation Number 16 of 2021, establishing stricter standards aligned with international practices. However, enforcement remains challenging, particularly in private educational institutions.

Government Response and Future Measures

The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced it will provide extra attention to the safety of private Muslim schools following the tragedy. 'We knew you shouldn't pour that much cement on that building,' one construction expert familiar with the project told local media. 'But apparently there wasn't enough knowledge on site to prevent this disaster.'

As rescue operations continue, authorities have confirmed that 14 injured victims are receiving medical treatment, while over 100 people have been successfully rescued since the collapse began. The search has been complicated by the nature of the debris, which consists largely of large concrete panels that require careful removal to avoid further collapse.

The tragedy at Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School represents one of the worst school building collapses in Indonesia's recent history and has prompted calls for comprehensive safety reviews of educational facilities across the country.