The collapse of an Indonesian Islamic boarding school has left dozens feared dead, officials said. The tragedy occurred in Sidoarjo, East Java, when a two-storey school crumbled. Around 59 people remain unaccounted for, according to rescue teams.
Hundreds of teenage students were inside the school when it collapsed. Most were boys attending prayers. The disaster struck suddenly, with no warning. At least five students died, and about 100 others were injured. Many remain trapped beneath the rubble.
Rescue operations began immediately using hand tools. Rescuers crawled through narrow tunnels under dangerous debris. They dug cautiously to avoid causing further collapses. Some survivors were reached and brought out. Their injuries ranged from broken bones to head wounds.
Despite intense efforts, teams now report no fresh signs of life under the wreckage. Thermal scanners, motion detectors, and drones have failed to detect movement. Rescuers have shifted their focus from hopeful rescue to recovery. Similar large-scale operations have been seen elsewhere in the region, as countries like Oman and Saudi Arabia push forward with G7-backed ventures, raising fresh debates about development and safety oversight.
Heavy machinery was avoided at first to prevent instability. But as time passed, officials decided to use cranes and excavators. They proceed with extreme care, since each shift in debris poses new risks to trapped students.
Authorities say the building could not support the added floors it was undergoing. It seems the foundation was too weak. The structure gave way during prayer time, crushing classrooms and halls. Students in another section of the building managed to escape.
Families gathered at the site, praying and hoping for their loved ones. Some clutch photos or pray silently. The smell of dust and concrete fills the air. Parents await news in makeshift tents as fear grows with each passing hour.
The tragedy has sparked calls for stricter oversight of construction in schools. Many ask why the building was being expanded without proper safety checks. The collapse raises questions about regulation, permitting, and accountability.
This disaster is one of the worst in recent years in Indonesia. It joins a series of structural failures that exposed vulnerabilities in oversight. The scale of this collapse may lead to new reforms, especially in how schools are built and maintained.
As days pass, hopes for finding survivors are fading. Yet rescue teams refuse to give up. They continue working around the clock, pulling rubble, checking voids, and coordinating with families.
The loss is profound. Dozens may be dead, and the toll of grief is mounting. But the urgency remains: every hour counts. The world watches as Indonesia faces the aftermath of this school collapse.
