A tragic incident has shaken East Java, Indonesia, after the collapse of a school building left dozens trapped, three confirmed dead, and more than 100 others injured. The disaster struck on Monday, September 29, when part of the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in the town of Sidoarjo gave way while construction was underway.

Collapse During Afternoon Prayers

According to officials, at least 38 people—mostly teenage boys aged between 12 and 17—were inside the building for afternoon prayers when the structure suddenly collapsed. A 13-year-old boy was the first confirmed fatality, while two more students later died from their injuries at the hospital, bringing the official death toll to three. Authorities fear this number could rise further as rescue operations continue.

Rescue teams said many students were buried beneath concrete and debris. The building had been undergoing unauthorized expansion, with two additional floors added on top of the original two-storey structure. Disaster mitigation officials confirmed that the foundation was unstable and unable to support the extra load, ultimately causing the deadly collapse.

Female students, who were in another section of the school during prayers, managed to escape unharmed, survivors reported.

“Crying and Shouting Heard” Under Rubble

Nanang Sigit, the chief of Surabaya’s search and rescue agency, explained that rescuers believe some students are still alive under the rubble.

“We heard crying and shouting from inside,” he said. “But we need to be vigilant and tread carefully because the condition of the collapsed building is unstable.”

Sigit added that teams have been providing oxygen and water to those trapped beneath the debris to keep them alive while they work to free them.

“We are focusing on saving those who are still alive, even though we have also seen several bodies scattered under the rubble,” he told reporters.

Rescue Efforts Intensify

Hundreds of rescue workers, including soldiers, police officers, and volunteers, have been digging through the wreckage since Monday. The search is being hampered by large slabs of concrete, unstable debris, and the constant risk of further collapse. At one point, operations had to be temporarily suspended when the ruins shook again, raising fears of additional danger to both rescuers and survivors.

Despite the difficulties, eight survivors were pulled out alive after being trapped for more than eight hours. Officials confirmed that at least 101 injured students and staff have been rushed to hospitals in the region, many with broken bones, head injuries, and critical conditions.

Families waiting outside hospitals and near the collapsed site have been gripped with anxiety. Witnesses described heartbreaking scenes of parents crying and praying as rescuers pulled dusty, bloodied students from the rubble.

What We Know About Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School

The Al Khoziny school, also known as a pesantren, is part of Indonesia’s long-standing tradition of Islamic boarding schools. Students live, study, and practice their religion under the guidance of religious teachers. Traditionally, pesantren have focused on Quran memorization, Arabic studies, and Islamic law. In modern times, many also offer general education subjects.

Unlike regular schools, pesantren fall under the jurisdiction of Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs rather than the Ministry of Education. Oversight, however, has often been limited. Many pesantren operate informally without strict regulations or consistent monitoring.

Following Monday’s disaster, the East Java office of the Religious Affairs Ministry called the collapse a “lesson” about construction safety standards. The ministry expressed its “deepest condolences” to the victims and promised stricter monitoring of government assistance to religious schools moving forward.

Unauthorized Construction Under Scrutiny

Local police have confirmed that the expansion of the school building had been carried out without the necessary permits. Originally a two-storey prayer hall, the structure was renovated to include two additional floors. Investigators now believe this unauthorized construction was directly responsible for weakening the building’s foundation and causing the collapse.

Authorities have officially launched an investigation to determine accountability and prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Survivors’ Accounts and Community Response

Students and staff who survived recounted scenes of chaos as the walls and floors crumbled during prayers. Teachers, administrators, and local residents rushed to help evacuate those trapped, carrying injured students out of the rubble and transporting them to nearby hospitals.

Most of the casualties were male students, while girls—who were praying separately—managed to escape unharmed. Many survivors are being treated for severe injuries, including broken bones, head trauma, and shock.

Grief and Hope Amid the Rubble

The collapse has devastated families and the wider Sidoarjo community. Outside hospitals, relatives continue to wait desperately for news. Some wailed as they recognized their children being pulled from the debris, while others still cling to hope that their loved ones will be rescued alive.

As of Tuesday, rescuers are continuing to search for an estimated 65 people still feared trapped. The operation remains dangerous and challenging, but rescue teams insist they will not give up until every possible survivor is found.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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