A devastating collapse at the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java, has left at least 50 people dead and 13 still missing, making it Indonesia’s deadliest disaster of the year. The tragedy occurred when the upper floors of the building gave way, burying hundreds of mostly teenage students under heavy concrete debris.
Rescue Operations
Rescue teams using excavators have cleared around 80% of the debris, recovering bodies and body parts from the rubble. Officials say the death toll may rise beyond 54, as more remains are being found. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency has described it as the worst single-building incident of 2025.
Background and Cause
Preliminary investigations point to unauthorized construction work on the upper floors that exceeded the building’s structural capacity. The collapse has highlighted Indonesia’s broader issue of unsafe and unregulated construction, particularly in Islamic boarding schools (pesantren).
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, there are about 42,000 pesantren across the country but only 50 have valid building permits, according to Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo. It remains unclear whether Al Khoziny had any such permit.
Why It Matters
The incident exposes serious weaknesses in building oversight and safety enforcement across Indonesia’s education sector. Religious boarding schools play a central role in community life and education, especially in rural areas, meaning the risks extend far beyond this one tragedy. The event has also intensified public pressure on government agencies to reform construction practices and enforce existing laws.
- National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB): Leading rescue and recovery operations.
- Public Works and Housing Ministry: Under scrutiny for lax enforcement of building regulations.
- Religious Affairs Ministry: Responsible for oversight of pesantren nationwide.
- Local Authorities and School Management: Facing questions over construction approvals and safety compliance.
- Families of Victims and Civil Society: Calling for accountability and stronger safety reforms.
Future Outlook
The government is expected to launch a nationwide inspection of school buildings, particularly pesantren, and tighten building permit regulations. However, experts caution that without consistent enforcement and funding, such measures may only be temporary. The tragedy could become a turning point for construction safety reform or another reminder of Indonesia’s recurring infrastructure failures.
With information from Reuters.
