Rescue teams in East Java, Indonesia, are racing to locate and free dozens of students still trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed school building in Sidoarjo, as the confirmed death toll rises and critical injuries mount. The incident occurred late Monday at the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School, where students were reportedly gathered for afternoon prayers when part of the structure gave way. As of Tuesday morning, local authorities confirmed that at least three students had died and more than 100 others were injured. Rescue officials said 38 individuals were still unaccounted for, believed to be buried beneath the debris of the collapsed school dormitory.
Emergency response underway following school building collapse in Indonesia’s East Java province. (Credit: WAM)
Emergency teams, supported by police and military personnel, worked through the night using manual tools and light equipment to avoid triggering further structural instability. The building collapse occurred around 4:00 p.m. local time, prompting a large-scale emergency response involving more than 300 personnel. Rescuers deployed breathing apparatus and specialized medical evacuation tools to reach survivors. Several students were pulled out alive after more than eight hours under the rubble, receiving oxygen and first aid before being transported to hospitals in nearby Surabaya and other medical centers in Sidoarjo.
Officials from the East Java provincial government and Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency confirmed that the school building had been undergoing vertical expansion prior to the collapse. Preliminary assessments indicate the original structure may not have been designed to support the additional floors, contributing to the failure of the reinforced concrete elements. The Ministry of Public Works and Housing has dispatched engineers to assist with the technical evaluation.
Emergency teams continue rescue mission at collapsed school
The Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School, a private religious institution in the Sepande area of Sidoarjo, accommodates several hundred male and female students, most of whom reside in separate dormitory wings. At the time of the collapse, male students were reportedly attending prayers in a section that sustained the most damage, while the female dormitories remained largely intact. Heavy equipment use has been limited due to the risk of triggering further collapse. Rescue crews have relied on handheld cutting tools and thermal scanners to detect signs of life.
Search operations have been slowed by debris pile-ups and instability in partially collapsed sections of the building. Authorities have also restricted access to the site to prevent crowding, as families of missing students gather nearby seeking information. At least eight survivors were rescued from the debris overnight, some with severe injuries requiring intensive care. Medical staff at multiple hospitals in the region remain on high alert as more victims are expected to be recovered in the coming hours. The Ministry of Health has mobilized additional medical personnel and resources to support emergency care.
Students received oxygen and first aid under rubble
Local officials have launched a formal investigation into the building’s structural integrity and compliance with construction regulations. The East Java police have secured the site and are collecting documentation related to the recent renovation work. No arrests or charges have been announced at this stage. President Joko Widodo has been briefed on the situation and instructed relevant agencies to prioritize rescue efforts and provide full support to the victims and their families.
The government is coordinating logistical support, including temporary shelters and psychological assistance for survivors. As of Tuesday evening, rescue operations remain active with a focus on locating the remaining missing students. Authorities have not provided a timeline for the conclusion of the search but stated that efforts will continue until all individuals are accounted for. Additional safety personnel and structural engineers have been deployed to support ongoing recovery and ensure site stability. – By Content Syndication Services.
