The confirmed death toll from the collapse of a prayer hall at an Islamic boarding school in East Java has risen to 54, as the search for more than a dozen missing students continues. The incident occurred last week at the Al Khoziny school in Sidoarjo.
Rescue operations, involving heavy machinery and manual labor, have been underway for days. Officials stated that 35 bodies were recovered over the weekend alone. Authorities hope to conclude the recovery effort soon, though at least 13 individuals remain unaccounted for.
The collapse trapped hundreds of students, predominantly boys aged 12 to 19. While 97 injured students have been treated and released, six others remain hospitalized with serious injuries.
Preliminary investigations point to illegal construction as the cause. Authorities allege the school was adding two new floors to the existing two-story structure without the required permits, leading to a catastrophic structural failure. A construction expert confirmed that the building could not support the load during concrete pouring, causing the entire 800-square-meter structure to give way.
Local officials acknowledged that building without permits is a common issue, particularly for traditional boarding school extensions in non-urban areas. Indonesian law mandates that construction permits must be obtained, with violations that result in death carrying severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines.
The school’s caretaker, a respected cleric, made a public appearance following the incident, describing the event as divine will and urging patience. Since then, school officials have not commented further.
A criminal investigation is now underway, with police stating they will work with construction experts to determine if negligence by the school led to the fatalities.
