Rescue Efforts Underway After Indonesian School Collapse Leaves Multiple Casualties

A building at the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, East Java, collapsed on Monday during afternoon prayers, resulting in at least one confirmed death and numerous injuries. The structure, originally two stories, had been undergoing unauthorized expansion to four stories when it gave way. Authorities indicated that the building's foundation was insufficient to support the additional weight, leading to the collapse.

Rescue teams, including police and soldiers, worked through the night to extricate survivors from the rubble. Efforts were temporarily halted due to concerns over the building's stability but resumed after safety assessments. As of Tuesday, 38 individuals were still presumed buried.

The Al Khoziny school, one of the oldest Islamic boarding schools in East Java, houses more than 2,000 students. The incident has prompted authorities to launch a full investigation into the cause of the collapse.