A four-story Islamic boarding school in East Java collapsed suddenly on Monday afternoon, trapping dozens of students beneath the rubble. As rescue operations continue, hope is fading for finding survivors alive, while serious questions are being raised about the building’s structural integrity.
The collapse occurred as more than 100 students were gathered for prayer. The building’s floors gave way in what officials described as a “pancake-style” failure, compressing all four levels into a heap of concrete and debris.
So far, five fatalities have been confirmed, with 59 students still unaccounted for. Rescue teams are working against the clock, though officials acknowledge the growing difficulty of locating survivors as the critical 72-hour window closes.
Distraught families have gathered at the site, many camping on mats as they await news. Several parents expressed frustration over the lack of communication from school management and previous concerns they had raised about the building’s safety.
Preliminary investigations point to foundational failure as the likely cause. A rescue official noted that the building’s collapse pattern—curved and elastic rather than fractured—suggests poor construction quality. Questions have also emerged about why students were permitted to use the first floor while construction was actively underway on upper levels.
The head of the national search and rescue agency described the operation as highly complex, with teams forced to dig narrow tunnels to avoid triggering further structural instability. Thermal drones and other technology are being used to detect signs of life in the wreckage.
Authorities are urging stricter enforcement of building safety standards to prevent future tragedies. The incident has cast a spotlight on construction oversight in Indonesia, home to thousands of Islamic boarding schools serving millions of students.
