The death toll from the tragic collapse of the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java, has risen to at least 50 people. This incident marks one of the deadliest disasters in Indonesia for 2025. The building collapsed last week, burying hundreds of mostly teenage boys beneath piles of concrete.
Rescue operations have made significant progress, with teams clearing approximately 80 percent of the debris by late Sunday. As rescuers worked tirelessly, they uncovered bodies and body parts of the victims. According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, the toll currently stands at 50 confirmed deaths, with hopes of locating 13 more individuals believed to be trapped within the ruins by the end of Monday.
Details of the Disaster and Recovery Efforts
Budi Irawan, a deputy at the disaster mitigation agency, highlighted the severity of this incident during a media conference. He stated, “The number of victims is the biggest this year from one building. Out of all the disasters in 2025, natural or not, there hasn’t been as many dead victims as the ones in Sidoarjo.”
Yudhi Bramantyo, an official from the search and rescue agency, confirmed that additional body parts were discovered, suggesting the death toll could exceed 54 individuals. Footage released by the agency depicted recovery workers transporting orange body bags from the site, underscoring the tragic human impact of the disaster.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse, which is believed to be linked to construction work on the upper floors that compromised the building’s structural integrity.
Building Regulations and Safety Concerns
The incident has raised questions about building safety standards across Indonesia. The country is home to approximately 42,000 Islamic school buildings, known as pesantren. Yet, as reported by Dody Hanggodo, Indonesia’s public works minister, only 50 pesantren possess valid building permits. The status of Al Khoziny’s building permit remains unclear, with attempts to contact school authorities for comment proving unsuccessful.
As the search and recovery efforts continue, the community grapples with the aftermath of this devastating event. Families and friends mourn the loss of young lives, while authorities face mounting pressure to ensure that such tragedies do not occur again in the future.
