A tragic structural collapse at the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, East Java, has left three people dead and dozens more trapped under rubble. The incident occurred during a prayer gathering when the two-story building, which was under construction, buckled due to an unstable foundation. Emergency services reported that 99 individuals have been hospitalized, with several in critical condition.
At least 38 students, primarily teenage boys, are believed to be trapped as emergency crews continue search operations. Rescuers face difficulty due to the building's reshaped structure, described as 'pancake-like,' with large slabs of concrete obstructing access to potential survivors.
The girls present in a different section of the school managed to escape unharmed. Witnesses like 13-year-old Muhammad Rijalul Qoib depicted the chaos as they heard rumblings and saw the building begin to collapse around them.
Authorities indicate the building had been illegally expanded without proper permits, raising broader concerns about safety standards in Indonesia's construction industry. Inadequate oversight of traditional Islamic schools, which often lack stringent regulations, contributes to these incidents.
As search efforts continue, anxious relatives wait for news, with some having camped overnight at the scene. The tragedy underscores the urgent need for reform in building safety protocols in Indonesia, where previous incidents have highlighted similar negligence.
