Indonesia School Collapse Death Toll Reaches 37; Dozens Still Missing

Indonesia School Collapse: Death Toll Rises to 37

The death toll from the collapse of the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia, has tragically risen to 37, according to officials. Rescue workers continue to search for those still missing under the rubble after the multi-story building collapsed on Monday, September 29, 2025, during afternoon prayers.

Rescue Efforts and Recovery

As of Sunday, October 5, 2025, Yudhi Bramantyo, operations director at the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), confirmed that 141 people had been recovered. Of those, 104 were safe, while 37 were confirmed dead. Rescuers are still searching for 26 missing individuals. The recovery efforts have been challenging due to the unstable structure and the need to proceed cautiously.

Budi Irawan, an official from the National Disaster Agency, stated that the recovery operation was approximately 60% complete and expressed hope for its swift conclusion. The rescue operation was complicated, as movement in one section of the debris could destabilize other areas, creating a dangerous environment for the rescue teams. Sniffer dogs and heavy machinery have been deployed to locate the missing.

Investigation and Causes

The exact cause of the school collapse is under investigation. Preliminary findings suggest that substandard construction and inadequate maintenance may have played a significant role. Authorities are also investigating reports of unauthorized expansion work being carried out on the building at the time of the collapse. According to police, the collapse originated in a section of the building that was undergoing this unauthorized expansion.

Impact and Response

The collapse occurred while students were gathered for afternoon prayers. While female students in a separate section of the building escaped unharmed, the majority of the victims were male students between the ages of 12 and 17. Following the initial 72-hour "golden period" for potential survival, families agreed to allow the use of heavy machinery to expedite the rescue and recovery process, according to reports. Nanang Sigit, head of the local search and rescue agency, confirmed the rising death toll in a statement.