67 Dead in Indonesia School Collapse: Unauthorized Expansion Blamed
A tragic incident has struck Indonesia. The Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in East Java collapsed, leading to the deaths of 67 people, mostly teenage boys. Over 100 were rescued. The search operation has now ended.
The disaster occurred when the multi-story musalla, a prayer hall, came crashing down. The building was undergoing unauthorized expansion, with two additional floors added without proper permits. This extra weight likely overwhelmed the school's foundation and structural supports, causing the collapse.
Investigations are ongoing, but experts suggest that the lack of proper permits and oversight played a significant role. Only 17 bodies have been positively identified, with many others requiring DNA analysis. The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has cleared all debris and ended the search operation.
The tragedy has sparked national grief and calls for reform in school construction safety, particularly in religious institutions. Responsibility for post-disaster recovery and support for victims' families has passed to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). Despite the end of the search operation, the cause of the collapse and who authorized the expansion remain under investigation.
