Indonesia ends rescue efforts after deadly Islamic boarding school collapse

Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has formally ended operations at the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school (Ponpes Al Khoziny) collapse site in Sidoarjo, East Java, on 7 October 2025.

Basarnas Chief Air Marshal Mohammad Syafii confirmed during a closing ceremony that 67 victims were found dead — including eight body parts — and 104 people were rescued alive. “We have completed the search and evacuation of all victims,” Syafii stated.

He said all collapsed materials have been removed and the site declared clear. Limited access and the fragility of the structure had complicated rescue efforts, forcing teams to conduct manual searches.

BNPB confirms no victims remain missing

Basarnas Director of Operations Rear Admiral Bramantyo reported that the final remains were recovered late on 6 October. “We gathered 67 packs, including eight body parts,” he told a press conference broadcast by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

BNPB Deputy for Emergency Response Major General Budi Irawan later confirmed that all missing individuals had been found, though some were recovered in fragments. “All missing bodies have been located, though some data remains provisional,” he said.

Authorities stated that 61 bodies were recovered intact and seven as body parts. The site has now been levelled, reducing the likelihood of further discoveries.

How the collapse happened

The tragedy occurred on 29 September 2025 when a four-storey mosque at the Al Khoziny boarding school collapsed during afternoon prayers. According to the state news agency Antara, construction work was being carried out on the top floor at the time, likely weakening the building’s foundations.

One survivor, Wahid, a seventh-grade student, recalled feeling strong vibrations before the floor gave way. 

Due to safety risks, heavy machinery could not be used. Search teams from the military (TNI), police (Polri), Basarnas, and local volunteers worked manually with guidance from structural engineers.

Police investigation under way

After the identification phase concluded, the East Java Regional Police (Polda Jatim) began a formal investigation into the collapse. Police spokesperson Commissioner Jules Abraham Abast said that witness questioning was ongoing based on a police report filed on 29 September and an investigation order issued on 1 October.

“The legal process is under way and will proceed to the next stage once evidence and testimonies are complete,” Abast said.

He added that survivors who were praying at the time of the incident had been among the first witnesses questioned. The Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team continues to confirm the identities of the deceased before returning bodies to families.

Families seek justice and accountability

Families of victims have publicly urged authorities to pursue justice without bias. Fauzi, who lost four nephews in the collapse while his son survived, questioned why construction was ongoing during prayer time, according to local media.

“There was concrete work above while students were praying below. What kind of safety procedure allows that?” he asked. Fauzi also alleged that some students were involved in construction work, raising possible child labour concerns.

He emphasised that if negligence was involved, “it must be investigated, regardless of status or position.”

Authorities acknowledge systemic problems

Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar (widely known as Cak Imin) said that the police had begun handling the case. He described the Al Khoziny pesantren — a 125-year-old Islamic boarding school — as representative of many older religious schools facing safety challenges.

“Limited budgets, ageing infrastructure, and the desire to maintain independence make many schools vulnerable,” he explained.

Condolence payments and local response

The school’s leadership has offered financial assistance to victims’ families as a gesture of sympathy and apology. Senior cleric KHR Muhammad Ubaidillah Mujib said the payments were intended to cover funeral and transport expenses.

However, some families declined the compensation, saying they preferred spiritual solace over financial support. One family member, Abdul Fattah, returned the money, stating that he “only sought the blessing of the school’s teachers.”