A devastating building collapse at an Islamic school in Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia has left at least one person dead and 65 students feared trapped beneath the rubble.
The incident occurred while students were performing afternoon prayers in a structure that had undergone unauthorized expansion.
According to local police, the original two-story prayer hall had been illegally renovated with two additional floors, without proper permits. The collapse happened suddenly, catching dozens of male students inside. Female students, who were praying in a separate section, managed to escape unharmed.
Rescue teams have recovered one body and rushed 99 injured students—many suffering from head injuries and broken bones—to nearby hospitals. Teachers, administrators, and residents joined emergency responders in assisting the wounded.
Authorities have launched a formal investigation into the structural failure and the illegal construction practices that may have contributed to the tragedy. The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue.
