Indonesia: Death toll rises to 14 after school collapse

Saturday 04 October 2025 - 08:00

By: Sahili Aya

Indonesia: Death toll rises to 14 after school collapse

The death toll from the collapse of an Islamic boarding school in Indonesia earlier this week has climbed to 14, authorities announced on Saturday, as rescue teams continue searching for dozens of missing students trapped under the debris.

The tragedy occurred on Monday at the Al-Khoziny Islamic school in Sidoarjo, East Java, when a hall collapsed during a prayer session, trapping many students inside. Rescue teams found nine more bodies on Friday evening, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to 14, according to Suharyanto, head of Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

As of Saturday, 49 people remain missing. Heavy machinery, including cranes and excavators, has been deployed to remove debris, although rescue operations remain delicate due to the unstable structure. Families of the missing gave their consent for the use of heavy equipment after the critical 72-hour window for survival had passed.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse, with initial findings suggesting severe structural weaknesses and construction that failed to meet safety standards.