In a tragic incident in Sidoarjo, East Java, a school building at the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School collapsed, claiming the lives of three people and leaving dozens more trapped. Officials reported that 99 individuals were hospitalized, many with critical injuries, and the death toll is sadly expected to rise.
The two-story structure, which was reportedly undergoing expansion to add two more floors, succumbed to its unstable foundation. The disaster mitigation agency stated that the building’s weight could no longer be supported. The collapse occurred on Monday while students were gathered for prayers. Fortunately, female students praying in a different section of the building managed to escape. The students affected are all between the ages of 12 and 17.
Rescue operations have been challenging due to the building’s “pancake-like structure” with unstable concrete slabs and narrow voids. The head of the search and rescue agency, Mohammad Syafeii, noted the difficult decision-making process regarding heavy equipment, as its use could endanger those still trapped. Rescuers have been working tirelessly, but operations were temporarily suspended on Tuesday due to the risk of further collapse.
Survivors recounted harrowing experiences, with one 13-year-old student describing the terrifying sound of falling rocks that grew louder before the collapse. He managed to escape despite being hit by debris. The caretaker of the school attributed the incident to “God’s will” and apologized to the families. However, local authorities have indicated that the school’s management may not have obtained the necessary permits for the building’s expansion.
Islamic boarding schools, known as pesantren, are common in Indonesia and often focus on religious studies alongside general education. While oversight can be limited in such informal settings, this incident highlights broader safety concerns within Indonesia’s construction sector, which has a history of poor safety records. This tragedy follows a similar incident earlier this month where a building collapse in West Java killed four people.
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