Three students Dead, Dozens trapped as Islamic School Building Collapses in Indonesia
Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia - At least three students have died and dozens remain trapped after a building at the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in East Java collapsed Tuesday, triggering a frantic rescue operation. Authorities are working to extricate survivors from the rubble, but efforts are hampered by the instability of the structure and ongoing safety concerns.
The incident underscores the precarious state of building safety in indonesia’s construction sector, which the International Labor Organization has identified as among the world’s most dangerous. The Al Khoziny school,a pesantren – a customary islamic boarding school – is located approximately 20km (12 miles) south of Surabaya,near Juanda International Airport. Unlike standard schools, pesantren are overseen by Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, a system often characterized by limited oversight and inconsistent regulation. Many operate informally, lacking robust monitoring.
The collapse occurred while students were reportedly attending a prayer recital within the building. Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after the structure gave way,initiating a search and rescue operation involving police,military personnel,and volunteers. As of late Tuesday, the full extent of the casualties remains unknown, with authorities fearing the death toll may rise as recovery efforts continue.
Pesantren traditionally focus on religious instruction, but increasingly offer general education alongside. This incident raises questions about the structural integrity of buildings within these institutions and the adequacy of safety standards across Indonesia’s educational landscape. Earlier this month, a similar collapse during a prayer gathering in West Java resulted in at least four deaths and dozens of injuries, highlighting a pattern of dangerous conditions in public spaces.
