At least 50 people have been confirmed dead following the tragic collapse of the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia, rescue authorities announced on Monday. The disaster, which struck last week, has become the nation’s deadliest incident so far in 2025.
Rescue teams have cleared nearly 80 percent of the debris, uncovering bodies and body parts belonging mostly to teenage boys who were studying at the school when the concrete structure suddenly gave way. Thirteen people are still unaccounted for as search operations continue, according to Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency.
The collapse occurred when piles of concrete caved in, trapping hundreds of students beneath the rubble. Emergency responders used excavators and heavy equipment in a race against time to retrieve survivors and bodies from the wreckage.
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the collapse, but questions are already being raised about the safety and legality of the building. According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, the country has about 42,000 Islamic boarding schools, known locally as pesantren. Shockingly, only 50 of them reportedly possess valid building permits, according to Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo.
It remains unclear whether Al Khoziny had an official building permit. Attempts by local media and Reuters to reach the school’s management for comment were unsuccessful.
The incident has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of construction regulations and safety standards across Indonesia, where building collapses are not uncommon due to weak oversight and poor infrastructure quality.
As rescue operations near completion, grief and anger are spreading among families and communities mourning the loss of dozens of young lives cut short in what many believe was a preventable tragedy. Authorities are expected to launch a full investigation once recovery efforts conclude.
