The collapse of a two-story building at Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java, has claimed 54 lives, marking Indonesia’s deadliest disaster of 2025, according to the country’s disaster mitigation agency. The tragedy struck last Monday during construction work as hundreds of teenage boys gathered for prayers at the pesantren, a traditional Islamic school. Rescuers are still searching for 13 missing individuals, with efforts expected to conclude by the end of the day.
Investigators are probing the cause of the collapse, with some officials pointing to an unstable foundation. The disaster agency’s deputy, Budi Irawan, noted at a press conference that the Sidoarjo incident has surpassed all other 2025 disasters in fatalities. At least two victims pulled from the rubble died later in hospital.
The rescue operation has been grueling due to the collapsed structure’s narrow voids, complicating access for teams. Muhammad Rijalul Qoib, a 13-year-old survivor, told Detik News he heard “falling rocks” growing louder before fleeing, only to be injured by debris. Many pesantren like Al Khoziny operate with minimal oversight, and it remains unclear whether the school had a construction permit.
The ongoing search, now using heavy equipment to shift concrete slabs, has found “no signs of life” among the wreckage, where dozens remain missing. The tragedy has highlighted regulatory gaps in Indonesia’s informal education sector, as families and communities await answers and closure.
