In brief
The death toll from the collapse of a school building in East Java, Indonesia, has tragically increased to 54, making it the deadliest disaster in the country this year. Rescuers continue to search for 13 people still missing under the rubble of the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school, which was undergoing construction at the time of the disaster. Investigations into the cause are ongoing as concerns mount regarding building regulations in such institutions.
The death toll from the collapse of a school in Indonesia has risen to 54, authorities said, with rescuers still searching for more than a dozen missing people.
Hundreds of students, most of them teenage boys, had gathered for prayers at the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in East Java when it collapsed last Monday while undergoing construction.
Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency states this incident marks the country's deadliest disaster of the year. Rescue efforts aim to complete the search for 13 victims trapped under the rubble soon.
Investigators are focused on determining the cause of the collapse, with some officials suggesting the building's foundation was unstable.
Out of all the disasters in 2025, natural or not, there hasn't been as many dead victims as the ones in Sidoarjo, Budi Irawan, a deputy at the disaster mitigation agency, reported during a press conference.
The toll includes at least two individuals who were rescued but later succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.
Al Khoziny, a traditional Islamic boarding school, is recognized as a pesantren. Many such institutions operate without formal regulations or systematic oversight, raising concerns about whether the school had the proper permits for its construction projects.
Rescue operations have faced difficulties due to the nature of the collapse, which left only narrow gaps for teams to navigate through. Survivors have recounted chilling experiences to local media.
Thirteen-year-old Muhammad Rijalul Qoib described hearing the sound of falling rocks, which intensified rapidly. He managed to flee as the structure failed but was injured by debris.
