Tragedy in Indonesia: School Collapse Leaves Dozens Missing, Several Dead

Tue Oct 21 2025 17:05:26 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A heartbreaking school collapse in Sidoarjo, Indonesia, has left at least five dead and 59 people missing, with rescue efforts facing immense challenges in the aftermath of the disaster.

On Monday, a two-storey Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo collapsed, trapping hundreds of students inside. Despite intensive rescue operations, only 13 individuals have been rescued so far, with reports indicating no signs of life under the rubble. Rescue operations are transitioning to using heavy machinery to remove debris, after thermal drones failed to detect survivors. Families are anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones, some still hopeful despite the dire circumstances.

There are no signs of life under the wreckage of a collapsed Indonesian school where 59 people are still missing, rescuers have said.

Hundreds of students, most of them teenage boys, were inside the two-storey Islamic boarding school in the town of Sidoarjo when it collapsed on Monday. At least five students were killed and about 100 injured, officials said.

Thirteen people have been freed from the debris since rescue efforts began, though two later died in hospital. Rescue operations have been challenging due to the unstable structure of the building.

On Thursday, the disaster mitigation agency (BNBP) said rescuers using thermal drones failed to detect signs of life from the rubble.

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, Lt Gen Suharyanto, the head of the BNBP said at a press conference on Thursday afternoon. Scientifically, no signs of life were found.

Authorities have confirmed 59 individuals are still trapped in the rubble. The building was under construction at the time of the collapse, with additional floors being added despite the school's management lacking the necessary permits.

Anxious families have camped outside the school, waiting for updates on their loved ones, holding onto hope in the face of overwhelming tragedy.