Rescue operations have concluded at the site of a devastating school collapse in Indonesia’s East Java province, with authorities confirming 67 fatalities. The structural failure occurred last week during afternoon prayers at the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, trapping numerous students and staff beneath the rubble.
Search and rescue teams worked tirelessly for days, using heavy machinery to clear concrete debris and carefully searching through collapsed sections of the building. Officials reported that 104 individuals survived the incident, though the recovery of eight unidentified body parts continues to complicate the final death toll.
Preliminary investigations point to unauthorized construction as the likely cause of the disaster. According to building safety regulations, the school lacked proper permits for additional floors being added to the existing structure. This has raised serious questions about construction oversight and compliance with national building codes.
The incident has highlighted ongoing concerns about building safety standards across Indonesia’s extensive network of Islamic boarding schools. Current regulations stipulate that construction violations resulting in fatalities can lead to significant prison sentences and substantial financial penalties.
In the aftermath, community members have expressed both sorrow and frustration, calling for greater accountability and improved safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The conclusion of search operations marks the beginning of what promises to be a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the building’s collapse.
