Death Toll Reaches Nine in Indonesian School Collapse as Search Continues

The death toll following the collapse of the Al Khoziny Islamic school building in East Java, Indonesia, has risen to nine, as rescue operations continue. The disaster occurred on March 10, 2024, during afternoon prayers when the structure crumbled under the weight of ongoing construction work on its upper floors, trapping over 50 students beneath the rubble.

According to the Indonesian Disaster Mitigation Agency, the tragic incident took place in the town of Sidoarjo. The agency reported that the deceased included mostly teenage boys aged between 13 and 19. As rescue efforts persist, authorities have mobilized over thirty ambulances to assist in the emergency response, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

Rescue Efforts Intensify

Rescuers have received permission from the families of the victims to employ heavy machinery in their search, following unsuccessful attempts to locate survivors. Agency Chief Suharyanto noted, “Every family of the victims has given their blessing if the heavy equipment gets in there and disturbs the bodies beneath the rubble.” This decision underscores the grim reality that more fatalities may be discovered as efforts proceed.

In addition to ambulances, cranes have been deployed to aid in the excavation of debris. Rescuers are conducting thorough searches through the building’s remains, calling out the names of the trapped students and using sensors to detect any signs of life. Despite these efforts, no movement has been reported, as depicted in images shared by the search and rescue agency.

By Friday, March 15, 2024, fourteen survivors had been rescued and were receiving treatment, according to the disaster agency. The ongoing search reflects the commitment of rescue teams to locate any remaining students.

Context of the Incident

The Al Khoziny school is a pesantren, an Islamic boarding school that serves a significant role in Indonesia’s educational landscape. The country hosts around 42,000 pesantren, providing education to approximately 7 million students, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

As the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia’s pesantren are vital for religious and general education within communities. The collapse of the Al Khoziny school has raised concerns about the structural integrity of educational facilities in the region, particularly those undergoing construction.

The investigation into the circumstances leading to the collapse is ongoing, with authorities seeking to understand how such a tragedy could occur. The grief experienced by the families and the wider community is palpable, as the nation mourns the loss of young lives and grapples with the implications of this catastrophic event.