In Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesian rescue teams are intensively searching for numerous students trapped beneath the debris of the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school, which collapsed during afternoon prayers. The incident took place two days ago, burying many young students under rubble. While rescuers have successfully located six survivors, over 91 individuals remain unaccounted for according to the National Disaster Management Authority (BPBD).
As of now, at least six fatalities have been reported, and many others have sustained injuries, with the collapse impacting predominantly students aged between 12 and 18. The search and rescue operation, which has entered its third day, is being conducted amidst increasing concerns about the diminishing window to find more survivors.
Lieutenant General TNI Suharyanto, head of the disaster management agency, is overseeing the operation, ensuring that rescuers are prioritising the recovery of potential survivors while planning to recover the deceased once the situation stabilises. Communication has been established with some of the trapped individuals, which has spurred efforts to create passages for their rescue.
However, an earthquake measuring 6.5 magnitudes on the Richter scale has added difficulties to the ongoing rescue efforts, potentially compacting the rubble and making it harder for rescuers to reach those still alive. Rescue teams have reported that limited access and unsafe conditions are hampering their operations, with ongoing manual digging to avoid further destabilisation of the site.
In total, more than 80 individuals managed to escape immediately following the collapse, with 11 survivors rescued subsequently. Despite these efforts, two of those rescued succumbed to their injuries in hospital. A thorough investigation has been initiated to determine the causes behind the structural failure, especially considering that the school was under construction without proper permits at the time of the collapse.
Indonesian officials, including the Religious Affairs Minister, have expressed concern over the construction standards of many Islamic schools in the region, noting the need for better technical oversight to prevent such tragedies in the future. As families anxiously await news of their missing loved ones at the crash site, the community grapples with not only the immediate tragedy but the systemic issues highlighted by this disaster.