A tragic incident struck the Al-Khoziny Islamic Boarding School (Pesantren) in Buduran, Sidoarjo, East Java, on Monday, 29 September 2025, when its four-storey prayer hall collapsed at approximately 3:35 p.m. local time.
At the time of the incident, a number of students were carrying out the afternoon Asr prayer.
Nanang Sigit, Head of the Surabaya SAR Office and SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC), said the collapse was believed to have stemmed from structural weakness during ongoing construction.
“The foundation is suspected to be weak, causing the building to collapse from the fourth floor to the ground floor,” he explained, as reported by Liputan6.
Rescue operations were launched swiftly. Two teams from the Surabaya Basarnas Office, comprising 13 personnel, were deployed to the scene. The Surabaya Class A SAR Office later confirmed that as of 1 October 2025, 102 victims had been evacuated.
Eleven of them were rescued by officers, while the remainder managed to escape independently. Most were taken to Notopuro Hospital and Siti Hajar Hospital, though many have since been discharged. Three fatalities were officially confirmed.
Despite progress, several students remain trapped in the rubble. SAR officials reported that some trapped victims were still conscious as the evacuation continued.
Students of Islamic Boarding School Trapped as Investigation Begins
Eyewitness accounts painted a clearer picture of the disaster. Muhammad Wafiq, a student at the boarding school, recalled that construction work had been underway on the upper floors of the prayer room when the incident occurred.
“During the pouring process, there was a crack in the middle. From above, it fell and crushed the lower part,” Wafiq told iNews TV.
Although the first floor had already been renovated and was in use for worship, the collapse occurred shortly after prayers had concluded.
“They were praying Asr in congregation, but it did not collapse immediately. It was during the wiridan (recitation of prayers) after the prayer,” he explained.
East Java Deputy Governor Emil Dardak confirmed that three students were still trapped beneath the rubble. However, reaching them proved difficult.
“There are three (victims) on the second floor. We cannot get through yet; it’s dangerous,” Emil said.
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The search effort involved members of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and joint SAR teams. “After conducting the assessment, the joint SAR team found signs of two survivors under the rubble,” said Nanang Sigit.
He added that further teams had arrived with specialised extraction equipment to open access points.
Local authorities have also raised serious concerns about building safety standards. Sidoarjo Regent Subandi stated that the pesantren had allegedly been constructed without a Building Construction Permit (IMB).
“I asked for the permits, but it turns out they did not have any. The concrete for the third floor was being poured. Because the construction was substandard, it ultimately collapsed,” Subandi said, as quoted by Detiknews.
He added that stricter enforcement was now necessary. “We will raise awareness again. If there is any construction without permits, we will stop it. We don’t want this disaster to happen again,” he emphasised.
As rescue operations continue, the priority remains saving the trapped victims.
