On October 2, 2025, a tragic incident occurred at the Al-Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, Indonesia, when the building collapsed, killing at least 40 individuals and leaving about 27 students unaccounted for. Sixteen-year-old Muhammad Royhan Firdaus was praying on the first floor when he was struck by debris as the building gave way, a collapse attributed to ongoing construction work on the upper floors.
Royhan initially thought the event was an earthquake and attempted to evacuate. Despite sustained injuries, including a broken leg and a fractured shoulder requiring surgery, he was among over 100 students who managed to escape. Rescue efforts have continued as teams search for survivors amid the rubble, with thermal drones having detected no further signs of life.
In light of the disaster, questions have arisen regarding the safety of the building and the appropriateness of ongoing construction during school hours. The parents of the students exhibit a reluctance to blame the school’s authorities, with many expressing that they do not hold them accountable for the incident. Social contexts influence these sentiments, as Islamic boarding schools, or pesantren, are integral to community life in conservative regions of Indonesia.
Respect for the religious leaders (kyai and ustadz) who run these institutions is significant, affecting how parents respond to crises like this. The Al-Khoziny school, founded in 1927 and serving as a prominent educational center, is recognized for its historical and religious significance within the community.
Some experts, including civil engineering lecturers, have analyzed the collapse, suggesting that recent construction work contributed to structural weaknesses. Concerns were raised about the practices employed during renovations, with recommendations that no activities should occur inside buildings undergoing construction to ensure safety.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/5/indonesia-building-collapse-parents-say-they-do-not-blame-school-leadership?traffic_source=rss