Three Students Dead, Dozens Missing in Indonesia School Collapse

At least three students have died and dozens remain missing after the collapse of an Islamic boarding school in Indonesia’s East Java province, authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The Al-Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo collapsed at about 3 p.m. on Monday while students were gathering for afternoon prayers. Officials said the building’s foundation pillars gave way as crews were concreting the fourth floor, leaving scores trapped under the rubble.

According to the National Search and Rescue Agency, 102 people were affected by the incident, including 99 survivors and three fatalities. The National Agency for Disaster Management reported that 38 people are still believed to be trapped. Eleven victims have been pulled from the debris, while 91 others managed to escape.

Seventy-seven of the injured have been taken to various hospitals in the area for treatment. Rescue teams continue to clear the rubble, assess the site, and secure the remaining structure to facilitate evacuation efforts.

Authorities said the incident highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of construction safety standards, urging building managers to ensure technical supervision during construction to prevent future tragedies.

The collapse is the second of its kind in Indonesia this month. On September 3, a community hall in West Java’s Bogor district caved in during a Quran recital, killing three people and injuring dozens.

Written by Adeyemi Adewale