Death toll from Indonesian school collapse reaches at least 60.

Rescue operations in Indonesia have led to the tragic discovery of more bodies at the site of a school collapse, with authorities confirming the death toll has reached at least 60 individuals. This tragic incident unfolded at the Al-Khoziny Islamic boarding school in East Java province, where students, primarily boys aged between 12 and 19, were engaged in afternoon prayers when the building’s structural integrity was compromised.

Following the collapse, which resulted from construction work on the upper floors that exceeded the building’s foundation capacity, dozens of students sustained injuries as well. Video footage released by Indonesia’s national search-and-rescue agency showcased the heartbreaking process of transporting orange body bags from the site.

As rescue teams continued their search for any additional victims, Mohammad Syafii, head of the search-and-rescue agency, mentioned that the death toll might stand at 65 according to certain reports, although some other estimates suggest it is closer to 60. Yudhi Bramantyo, the operations director for the agency, noted that efforts are nearing completion, stating their goal of concluding the recovery process by the end of the day, wherein they can return the deceased to their grieving families.

This event marks one of the most severe tragedies experienced in Indonesia this year, drawing national and international attention to the importance of building safety regulations, particularly in educational institutions. Indonesia is home to approximately 42,000 Islamic boarding schools, which collectively cater to about seven million students in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, as noted by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. However, it has been reported that only 50 of these schools have the necessary building permits, indicating an urgent need for improvements in oversight and construction standards within the educational sector.

Indonesia has a rich tradition of Islamic education, and schools like Al-Khoziny play a vital role in shaping the futures of their students. The resilience of this community in the wake of disaster serves as a testament to their commitment to faith and education, with continued hopes that such tragedies will pave the way for enhanced safety measures to protect future generations.

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