In Indonesia’s Sidoarjo city, the death toll from the collapse of Al-Khuzaini Islamic Boarding School has risen to 54, while at least 13 students and teachers are still feared trapped under the debris.
The tragic incident occurred on September 29, during noon prayer preparations, when the school’s roof and walls suddenly collapsed, burying over a hundred students and teachers. Even after a week, rescue teams continue to recover bodies from the rubble.
Authorities reported that renovation and expansion work was underway at the time of the collapse. Preliminary investigations revealed that weak foundations and poor construction standards were the primary causes of the disaster.
Rescue operations are ongoing but hampered by heavy rains and the dense debris. Most of the victims were students aged between 13 and 17, with a few teachers among the dead.
Experts highlight that thousands of Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia operate informally, often without strict building or safety inspections. Officials have launched an inquiry to determine accountability and prevent such tragedies in the future.
