Sidoarjo, Indonesia — A devastating structural collapse at the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java, left at least three students dead, dozens injured, and around 38 people feared trapped under rubble, officials said Tuesday.
Collapse During Prayer Time
The building fell around 3 p.m. local time on 29 September 2025, as male students gathered for afternoon prayers in a structure that had been undergoing illegal expansion.
According to local police, the original building was two stories high. Additional concrete floors were being added without proper permits, and the foundation reportedly failed under the extra weight.
Female students, who were praying in a separate section of the school, are said to have escaped the collapse before the main structure gave way.
Rescue Efforts Ongoing With Risks
Rescue teams, including police, soldiers, and disaster response units, have been working through the night and into Tuesday to locate survivors.
- Some survivors were pulled from the rubble more than eight hours after the collapse.
- Rescuers have been supplying trapped individuals with oxygen and water.
- However, at least once, operations had to be temporarily halted due to secondary shifting of debris and concerns over further structural instability.
As of the latest updates, 102 people were reported in the incident: 99 survivors and 3 confirmed dead. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency confirmed that 38 people were still missing and believed to be trapped.
Injuries, Victims & Hospital Care
At least 77 people were sent to various hospitals for treatment. Al Jazeera Many others suffered serious injuries including broken bones, head trauma, and suffocation risks.
Among the deceased is a 13-year-old boy, per some reports. Families gathered at hospitals and near the collapse site, anxiously watching lists of missing students.
Questions & Investigation Underway
Authorities say the collapse was likely triggered when concrete was being poured during the illegal expansion. The existing foundation could not bear the added load.
An investigation has been opened to determine faults in the construction, supervision, and permitting process.
The disaster is already prompting renewed calls in Indonesia for stricter enforcement of building safety, especially in institutions like schools and boarding facilities.
