Indonesia School Collapse: Death Toll Climbs to 50, Search Continues
The death toll from the collapse of the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in East Java, Indonesia, has risen to at least 50, marking it as the country's deadliest disaster of 2025. Rescue teams are continuing their search for the remaining 13 missing people a week after the incident.
Tragic Incident and Rescue Efforts
The collapse occurred at the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo town, burying hundreds of students, mostly teenage boys, under concrete rubble. The students had gathered for afternoon prayers when part of the building caved in. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly, using excavators to clear approximately 80% of the debris by late Sunday, October 5th.
Budi Irawan, a deputy at the national disaster mitigation agency, confirmed the 50 fatalities based on recovered bodies. Yudhi Bramantyo, a search and rescue official, indicated that the toll could potentially rise further, with the discovery of additional body parts suggesting a final count of at least 54.
Investigation and Potential Causes
Preliminary investigations suggest that unauthorized construction work on the upper floors of the school building may have exceeded the structural capacity of the foundations. This has raised concerns about building safety standards, particularly within Indonesia's numerous Islamic boarding schools (pesantren). There are approximately 42,000 such schools across the country, but reportedly, only 50 have formal building permits, according to Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo. It remains unclear whether Al Khoziny possessed the necessary permits.
Implications and Future Outlook
The tragic collapse highlights the need for stricter building oversight and safety enforcement within Indonesia's education sector. The incident has prompted calls for a nationwide inspection of school buildings, especially pesantren, and a tightening of building permit regulations. The long-term impact will depend on consistent enforcement and adequate funding to ensure the safety and well-being of students across the country.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia |
| Date of Collapse | Late September/Early October 2025 |
| Confirmed Fatalities | 50 |
| Missing Individuals | 13 |
| School Type | Islamic Boarding School (Pesantren) |
The sources for this information are Reuters, uzalendonews.co.ke, moderndiplomacy.eu, straitstimes.com, amp.dw.com, caliber.az, and tbsnews.net
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