A devastating collapse at Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, East Java, claimed at least three lives and left dozens of students trapped under unstable concrete rubble. The tragedy struck during an unauthorized expansion of a prayer hall, where mostly male students, aged 12 to 18, were performing afternoon prayers. Over 100 students and teachers were injured, with 75 students and two teachers still hospitalized, some in critical condition. Rescue efforts, involving hundreds of workers, police, and soldiers, continued into Tuesday, with oxygen and water being supplied to survivors trapped in the debris.

The collapse occurred on Monday at the century-old Al Khoziny, known locally as Buduran Islamic Boarding School, one of Indonesia’s oldest pesantrens, established in 1927. The school, home to over 2,000 santri (boarding students), is a prominent institution named after KH Raden Khozin Khoiruddi, with a legacy of educating Islamic scholars. The incident happened as two additional floors were being added to a two-story prayer hall without proper permits, leading to the structure’s failure during concrete pouring, according to provincial police spokesperson Jules Abraham Abast. Authorities are investigating the cause, citing the building’s inadequate foundation as a key factor.

Rescue operations faced significant challenges due to the unstable rubble and heavy concrete slabs, with heavy equipment avoided to prevent further collapses. A temporary suspension of efforts occurred at 10:15 AM on Tuesday when the debris shifted, prompting evacuations, but work resumed by 1:45 PM. Nanang Sigit, leading the rescue, reported that eight survivors were extracted overnight, though several bodies were also spotted under the rubble. The focus remained on saving those still alive, with rescuers using specialized equipment for breathing support, extrication, and medical evacuation.

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The emotional toll was palpable as families gathered at hospitals and near the site, grappling with grief and uncertainty. A notice at the school listed 65 students as missing, later revised to 38 by the National Disaster Management Agency. Heart-wrenching scenes unfolded as parents, like one mother who cried, “My son is still buried, please help!” pleaded for their children’s rescue. Among the casualties, one 13-year-old boy was found dead on Monday, and two others succumbed to injuries at Notopuro General Hospital, where one student required an arm amputation and two others underwent surgery for head injuries.

Al Khoziny, part of Indonesia’s vast network of over 42,400 pesantrens educating 3.4 million santri, underscores the cultural significance of Islamic boarding schools in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation. The tragedy has raised urgent questions about building safety and regulatory oversight, particularly for aging institutions undergoing expansions. As rescue efforts continue and investigations deepen, the nation mourns the loss of young lives and prays for the safe recovery of those still trapped in the rubble.

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