The death toll has reached 13 following the collapse of the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in Indonesia. As rescue operations continue, approximately 50 students, primarily teenage boys aged between 13 and 19, remain trapped beneath the rubble. The Indonesian Disaster Mitigation Agency confirmed the casualties and stated that heavy equipment has been deployed to assist in recovery efforts.
On March 15, 2024, agency chief Suharyanto reported that nine bodies had initially been recovered. However, the situation prompted rescuers to seek parental consent to use heavy machinery, as previous attempts to locate survivors yielded no signs of life. “Every family of the victims has given their blessing if the heavy equipment gets in there and disturbs the bodies beneath the rubble,” Suharyanto said, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the likely discovery of more deceased individuals.
Rescue Operations Intensify Amid Tragedy
Alongside the deployment of 30 ambulances, cranes were sent to assist in excavating the debris. Rescuers have been working tirelessly, digging tunnels through the remnants of the building. They have called out the names of the boys trapped inside and utilized sensors to detect any signs of movement, but the search has, so far, been fruitless. Photos shared by the search and rescue agency depict the challenging conditions faced by the teams.
Currently, 14 rescued victims are receiving medical treatment as authorities continue to address the unfolding crisis. The Al Khoziny school, known locally as a pesantren, is one of approximately 42,000 such institutions in Indonesia, which serves about seven million students according to the country’s religious affairs ministry.
The disaster has drawn significant attention to the challenges faced by educational facilities in earthquake-prone areas. Indonesia, being the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, has a rich tradition of Islamic education, and the loss of young lives in this incident has left many in mourning.
As search and rescue efforts persist, the focus remains on finding any remaining survivors, while also preparing for the possibility of uncovering additional victims. The community continues to rally around the affected families during this tragic time, reflecting the collective grief and support that characterizes Indonesian society in times of crisis.
