The search for victims of last week’s deadly school collapse in Indonesia has officially ended, with authorities confirming 67 deaths. The tragedy occurred on September 29, when part of a multi-storey Islamic boarding school, Al Khoziny, on Java island, collapsed during afternoon prayers attended by more than 170 students.
After nine days of rescue operations, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) announced the conclusion of efforts on Tuesday. “We have concluded the search and rescue operation for the victims,” said Basarnas chief Mohammad Syafii at a press conference.
Operations director Yudhi Bramantyo confirmed that 171 people were pulled from the debris—67 dead, including eight dismembered body parts, while 104 survived. “We have cleared all the rubble and scoured the entire area. It’s very unlikely we’ll find more victims,” he said.
The collapse, caused by structural failure, devastated the small town of Sidoarjo, leaving families in grief and confusion. Rescuers used excavators and cranes to lift heavy concrete while calling out for survivors trapped below.
According to officials, Al Khoziny was among more than 42,000 Islamic boarding schools—or pesantren—across Indonesia, of which only around 50 reportedly have official building permits. Local media quoted Sidoarjo chief Subandi as saying the school allegedly lacked one.
