Crystal Dike
Rescuers say there are “no signs of life” under the wreckage of an Islamic boarding school that collapsed in Indonesia’s East Java province, leaving 59 people still missing.
Hundreds of students, mostly teenage boys, were inside the two-storey Al Khoziny school in Sidoarjo when it collapsed on Monday, September 29. At least five students have been confirmed dead and about 100 injured, according to officials.
Thirteen people have so far been pulled from the rubble, though two later died in hospital. Rescue operations have been hampered by the building’s unstable structure, which authorities say was undergoing illegal expansion at the time of the collapse.
On Thursday, October 2, Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency (BNBP) said thermal drones detected no signs of life under the debris.
“Last night, we even cleared the area to ensure silence. We hoped that with the use of sophisticated equipment we might hear some signs of life,” said Lt. Gen. Suharyanto, head of the BNBP, at a press conference. “Scientifically, no signs of life were found.”
With hopes fading, authorities have shifted to the next phase of operations, deploying heavy equipment to lift or cut through concrete slabs. Rescuers had earlier avoided this step for fear of further collapse that could endanger survivors.
On Wednesday, however, officials reported hearing crying and shouting from beneath the rubble, sparking hope among anxious families waiting at the site.
“I am hoping for the best news, that my brother survives,” said Maulana Bayu Rizky Pratama, whose 17-year-old brother is missing. Another parent, Ahmad Ikhsan, 52, told reporters: “I believe my son is still alive.”
The BNBP has said casualty figures have fluctuated during the early stages of the disaster, but on Wednesday confirmed 59 people remained trapped.
Authorities later revealed the school building was under construction at the time, with two additional floors being added without official permits. Local officials said the unstable foundation could not support the added weight, leading to the collapse.