Massive School Building Collapse in Indonesia: One Dead, 65 Students Feared Trapped

A devastating collapse occurred at an Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia on September 29, 2025, resulting in at least one fatality and leaving approximately 65 students feared buried under the debris of an under-construction building. The tragic incident occurred while students were engaged in prayer. Rescue teams were immediately mobilized to provide aid to the trapped students, including supplying oxygen and water. Overnight rescue efforts resulted in the successful extraction of eight injured students from the rubble. Authorities fear the death toll will rise. Distraught family members have gathered at hospitals, closely monitoring the rescue efforts and the condition of the injured students. The injured students are primarily boys from grades 7 to 11, aged between 12 and 17. Initial findings suggest the students were conducting afternoon prayers in a building under construction when the structure collapsed. Female students, who were praying in another section, escaped without injury. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the building’s failure.