Three more people were rescued alive on Tuesday (Indonesia Time) from the rubble of a collapsed building of Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Buduran District, Sidoarjo, East Java, raising the total number of survivors pulled out by rescue teams to 11, officials said.
The collapse occurred on Monday at around 3pm local time, while students were performing Ashar prayers in congregation, reports ANTARA and Reuters.
The Ministry of Social Affairs has distributed logistical aid to the victims, including 1,200 ready-to-eat meal packages, 500 children’s food packages, 170 blankets, 150 folding mattresses, 150 family kits, and multipurpose tents.
The victims were recovered at separate times early Tuesday morning from the building. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported that the search for 38 people believed to be trapped under the building.
They were transported to nearby hospitals, according to SAR Mission Coordinator Nanang Sigit.
“The team is working under hazardous conditions, with unstable debris and heavy concrete,” said Sigit, who also heads the Surabaya SAR Office. “Safety remains our top priority during the evacuation.”
According to the (BNPB), 102 people have been accounted for since the collapse, including 91 who escaped on their own. 11 people have been rescued by joint SAR teams, while one fatality has been confirmed. Rescuers continue to search for 38 others believed to be trapped.
Spokesperson of the disaster mitigation agency Abdul Muhari told Reuters, “They are still searching for 91 people,” adding that 26 of the injured were still being treated at local hospitals.
The operation involves hundreds of personnel from multiple agencies, including the Surabaya SAR Office, East Java and Sidoarjo disaster management agencies, the military, police, fire department, and volunteers.
Reinforcements arrived Tuesday from Basarnas Special Group units in Semarang and Yogyakarta, equipped with medical evacuation tools, breathing apparatuses, and other rescue gear.
As of Tuesday night, efforts were ongoing to clear more rubble in hopes of reaching additional victims.
Parliament Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said the House had coordinated with both central and local governments to support the response.
He expressed condolences to the victims and called for stronger oversight to prevent future tragedies and urged authorities to act swiftly and ensure similar incidents don’t occur elsewhere
Meanwhile, Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar visited the site on Tuesday and said the ministry would work to improve safety standards for Islamic schools and madrasahs nationwide.
He said, “This is a wake-up call. Many Islamic schools are built through community efforts without adequate technical supervision, which poses serious risks.”
He urged school operators to prioritize proper construction practices to prevent similar disasters.
The cause of the collapse remains under investigation.
