Rescue teams are working urgently to save students trapped under the rubble of the Al-Khoziny Islamic Boarding School, which collapsed on Monday during afternoon prayers. At least five people have died, while five survivors have been rescued so far.
The multistorey school building suddenly gave way as students gathered for prayers. School records indicate that 91 people may still be trapped, and families are desperate for news. Thermal-sensing drones and underground tunnels are being used to locate survivors.
The rescue efforts are complicated by a magnitude 6.5 earthquake that struck nearby Sumenep on Wednesday, causing the debris to settle further and reducing space for rescuers to operate.
Parents like Abdul Hanan and Dewi Sulistiana are pleading for faster rescue operations. “We believe our children might still be alive because we can hear them crying,” Abdul said. Dewi added, “I have been waiting here for days. I just hope to hear from my son.”
Rescue officials warned that the 72-hour “golden window” for saving lives is closing. “The debris has compressed, leaving only 10cm of space in some areas,” said Mohammad Syafii, head of the National Search and Rescue Agency.
Indonesia has faced repeated building collapses in recent years, often linked to lax construction standards and partially completed structures. Earlier this month, at least three people died when a building hosting a prayer recital collapsed in West Java.
Authorities continue to coordinate the search, providing water and food to trapped victims, but acknowledge the situation remains extremely challenging.
