Hope Fades in East Java as Dozens Remain Trapped Under Collapsed School
From Hope to Despair
What began as a desperate search for those who survived has entered a heartbreaking phase at the collapsed Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, East Java.
Days after the two-storey building crumbled during evening prayers, rescue teams now report there are “no signs of life” beneath the rubble where dozens of students and teachers remain trapped.
Thermal drones and sensitive listening devices failed to pick up movement or sound from the ruins, dashing the hopes of families gathered outside the disaster site.
Rising Toll, Shattered Dreams
At least five students have been confirmed dead, while about 100 others are injured. Since the collapse, rescuers have managed to pull 13 people alive from the debris, though two later died in the hospital.
Officials warn that the true number of affected persons could still rise as slabs of concrete are carefully dismantled.
For families like that of 17-year-old Maulana Bayu Rizky Pratama’s younger brother, hope lingers despite the grim updates. “I hope my brother will be found soon. I feel sad thinking of him being down there for four days,” Maulana said with tears.
A Shift in Rescue Strategy
After days of delicate work, rescuers now face a painful decision. The unstable structure made it impossible to use heavy equipment earlier for fear of crushing those still alive under the collapsed building.
But with no indications of life, teams are preparing to bring in cranes and cutting tools to remove massive blocks of concrete.
“Scientifically, no signs of life were found,” said Lt Gen Suharyanto, head of the disaster mitigation agency BNPB. “We are moving to the next phase of operations.”
Negligence Behind the Tragedy
Investigations confirm the collapse was not caused by a natural disaster but by unsafe construction. The building was under expansion, with two additional floors being added on an unstable foundation.
Authorities revealed the school management had failed to obtain permits for the extra floors, a violation that has cost dozens of young lives.
The regent of Sidoarjo condemned the negligence, saying, “This tragedy could have been prevented if proper permits and engineering assessments had been followed.”
A Call to Protect Children’s Rights
The ongoing tragedy is a reminder of the fundamental right of every child to safety and protection in schools. Educational institutions must never compromise lives through shortcuts or non-compliance.
Stronger oversight, stricter construction standards, and accountability from both school authorities and regulators are not optional but obligations.
Every child has the right to learn in an environment free from preventable dangers. Anything less is an injustice to their future.
