Pesantren, or Islamic boarding schools, are a central part of education in Indonesia, which is the world’s largest Muslim-majority country. There are around 42,000 such schools serving nearly 7 million students. Many of these institutions are built quickly, and in some cases, building safety standards are not strictly enforced. In this case, officials say ongoing construction work on the upper floors may have weakened the foundations, causing the collapse.
What happened
A school building in Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia, suddenly collapsed during afternoon prayers earlier this week. The Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school (known locally as a pesantren) crumbled while hundreds of students were inside. Rescuers say nearly 60 students are still trapped under the rubble. At least 5 have been confirmed dead and 30 are injured.
Rescue efforts
More than 10 ambulances are on standby at the site, and cranes are being used to dig through the collapsed structure. Rescuers have been calling out the boys’ names and using sensors to detect movement, but so far, they have found no new signs of life. The trapped students are mostly teenagers, aged 13 to 19.
Why it matters
- Safety concerns: This tragedy raises questions about building safety and oversight at schools that house thousands of children across Indonesia.
- Human cost: Families are waiting anxiously for news of their children, highlighting the devastating personal toll.
- National issue: Since pesantren are widespread, the collapse could trigger a broader review of safety standards in schools nationwide.
Bigger picture
Indonesia often faces building collapses and infrastructure accidents, sometimes linked to weak construction standards, corruption, or a lack of regulation. This incident may add pressure on the government to improve monitoring of school buildings, especially those still under construction or expansion.
with information from Reuters.
