The death toll from the collapse of the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java, has risen to at least 50 people, making it the deadliest disaster in Indonesia in 2025. The building, which housed primarily teenage boys, gave way under the weight of concrete as construction work was underway on the upper floors, leading to a catastrophic failure.
Rescue operations have been ongoing since the incident, which occurred last week. As of late Sunday, rescuers had cleared approximately 80 percent of the debris. They uncovered numerous bodies and body parts, according to a statement from the Indonesian Disaster Mitigation Agency. Deputy Budi Irawan reported that the total number of confirmed fatalities stands at 50, with hopes of wrapping up the search for the remaining victims by the end of Monday.
Details of the Incident and Rescue Efforts
During a media conference, Irawan emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting, “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, added that additional body parts found could raise the death toll to at least 54.
Recovery workers have been seen transporting orange body bags from the ruins, underscoring the tragic nature of the event. Authorities have attributed the collapse to inadequate support from the school’s foundations due to ongoing construction activities.
According to data from Indonesia’s religious affairs ministry, there are approximately 42,000 Islamic school buildings, known as pesantren, throughout the country. Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo stated that only 50 of these facilities possess valid building permits, raising questions about the regulatory framework governing school construction. It remains unclear whether the Al Khoziny school had the necessary permits, as attempts to reach school authorities for comment have been unsuccessful.
The incident has sparked discussions about building safety standards for educational institutions across Indonesia, particularly for those operating without proper oversight. The impact of this tragedy is felt deeply in the local community and beyond, as families mourn the loss of young lives in what is being described as a significant national tragedy.
