Indonesia School Collapse Death Toll Rises to 45, Search Continues for Missing Students

Tragedy Strikes Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School

SIDOARJO, Indonesia – The collapse of a prayer hall at the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia, on Monday, September 29, 2025, has resulted in a confirmed death toll of 45. As of October 5, 2025, rescue teams continue their arduous search for 18 individuals still reported missing, while 103 people sustained injuries in the catastrophic event. The incident occurred around 3:00 PM WIB (UTC+07:00) as hundreds of teenage students were performing afternoon prayers. The school, also known as Pondok Pesantren Al-Khoziny, is a long-established Islamic boarding school in Buduran, Sidoarjo.

Intensified Rescue Efforts Amidst Challenges

Rescue operations, led by agencies such as the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) and the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), have been ongoing since the collapse. Initially, rescuers worked manually, but after detecting no further signs of life and with the permission of victims' families, heavy machinery, including excavators and cranes, was deployed to clear the massive concrete slabs and debris. The search has been complicated by the unstable nature of the remaining structure and was further hampered by a 6.5-magnitude earthquake that struck the Sumenep region of East Java on October 1, compacting the debris and reducing potential voids where survivors might have been. Rescuers have provided oxygen, water, and intravenous drips to those reachable through small gaps. Victim identification has also posed challenges, as many of the deceased were under 18 and lacked government identity cards or fingerprint records, with some bodies too severely damaged for visual recognition.

Unauthorized Construction Blamed for Structural Failure

Investigations into the cause of the collapse point to structural failure due to unauthorized construction work. Authorities confirmed that two additional floors were being added to the existing two-story prayer hall without proper permits. Experts suggest that the building's foundations were unable to support the increased weight, particularly during the concrete pouring process for the upper floors. This incident has highlighted broader concerns about lax construction standards and building safety regulations in Indonesia, where unauthorized expansions are not uncommon. The majority of the victims were male students, aged between 12 and 19, who were in the prayer hall at the time of the collapse. Female students, who were praying in a separate section of the building, managed to escape unharmed.

Ongoing Search and Community Impact

As of Sunday, October 5, rescue efforts are reportedly 60 percent complete, with officials expecting to clear all debris and conclude the search by Monday, October 6. The tragedy has deeply affected the local community, with distraught families anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones near the site. Of the 103 injured, 14 remain hospitalized, while 89 have been discharged. The focus remains on recovering the remaining missing individuals and providing support to the victims and their families.