Rescuers carry the body of a victim after an Islamic boarding school collapsed in Sidarjho, East Java, Indonesia.
Rescue teams in Indonesia have pulled three more bodies from the rubble of a collapsed Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java. Authorities fear the death toll could rise further as more than 50 students remain unaccounted for.
The al Khoziny Islamic boarding school, a century-old structure, collapsed on Monday while hundreds of people gathered in its prayer hall. The tragedy has left families waiting anxiously for updates, as crews work under harsh conditions to find survivors or recover the missing.
Rescue Teams Switch to Heavy Machinery
Initially, rescue workers searched by hand, hoping to find survivors trapped under the rubble. By Thursday, however, no further signs of life were detected. Authorities then brought in heavy excavators with jackhammers to speed up the operation.
Rescue crews worked relentlessly in scorching heat on Friday, breaking up thick slabs of concrete. The smell of decomposing bodies from beneath the debris served as a grim reminder of the scale of the disaster. Officials say recovery operations may be completed by Saturday.
Students Among the Victims
Most of the students inside the collapsed building were boys between 12 and 19 years old. They were attending prayers in the main hall when the structure gave way. Female students, who were in another part of the building, managed to escape unharmed.
So far, eight students have been confirmed dead and 105 others injured. Many sustained head injuries and broken bones. At least 55 students are still missing. Survivors said panic spread instantly as the walls and roof came down, leaving many trapped.
Victims Found in Prayer Hall
Authorities confirmed that two of the bodies recovered on Friday were located in the prayer hall area. Another was found near an exit, suggesting the boy had tried to escape when the collapse occurred.
Suharyanto, head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, told reporters the situation was heartbreaking. “We are racing against time, but we will not stop until all are accounted for,” he said.
Construction Flaws Raise Questions
Police revealed that the two-story school building had been undergoing unauthorized construction. Two additional concrete floors were being added without official permits. Investigators believe the building’s old foundation could not withstand the extra load, causing it to collapse during the pouring process.
So far, school officials have not issued any public statement. Local residents, however, expressed anger, questioning how unsafe construction could continue without intervention.
Hopes Fade, But Efforts Continue
Families of missing students have gathered near the site, clinging to hope for any news. Some have waited day and night since Monday, praying for a miracle.
Rescue teams, though exhausted, continue their search with determination. Suharyanto confirmed that efforts to recover the bodies should be completed by Saturday.
As the community mourns the young lives lost, questions remain about accountability and safety regulations. The tragedy at al Khoziny school has once again exposed the risks of unregulated construction in Indonesia.
For grieving families, the painful wait continues. And for the nation, this collapse stands as a stark reminder of the need for stricter building oversight to prevent future disasters.
