SIDOARJO: A desperate rescue operation is underway in East Java’s Sidoarjo town, where at least 91 students are feared to be trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed Islamic boarding school, officials confirmed on Wednesday. (Indonesia Building Collapse)
The building collapse occurred on Monday afternoon during prayer time at the Al Khojini Islamic Boarding School, a nearly century-old structure that was reportedly undergoing unauthorized renovations. The school’s infrastructure, weakened by time and unapproved construction, gave way as dozens of students were inside.
According to authorities, the number of those trapped surged significantly after updated attendance logs and reports from distressed families were cross-verified. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) increased the figure from an earlier count of 38 to 91 late Tuesday night.
So far, three students have been confirmed dead, and at least 100 others have been injured, many of them critically. Most of the victims are believed to be teenagers.
Over 300 personnel, including local rescue teams, military units, and police forces, have been working around the clock in challenging conditions to clear the rubble and search for survivors. Heavy equipment, sniffer dogs, and thermal scanners have been deployed at the site.
“This is a race against time,” a local official said, describing the rescue efforts as “extremely delicate” due to the instability of the remaining structure.
Families of the missing have gathered at the site and nearby hospitals, anxiously waiting for updates as hope dims with each passing hour.
An investigation has been launched into the cause of the collapse and the nature of the unapproved construction work. Authorities have pledged to hold those responsible accountable, including school administrators and contractors involved in the renovation.
This tragedy has reignited debate across Indonesia about the structural safety of aging educational institutions, especially in rural and religious boarding schools.
