Death toll rises to 54 in Indonesia school collapse; 13 still missing

Indonesian rescuers have recovered the bodies of at least 54 students after a prayer hall at an Islamic boarding school collapsed last week, officials said Monday, as search efforts continue for 13 others still missing.Using heavy excavators, jackhammers, circular saws—and at times, their bare hands—rescue workers cleared tons of rubble over the weekend at the century-old Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, East Java.Over the weekend alone, 35 more bodies were found. In total, we have retrieved 54 victims, including five body parts,” said search and rescue official Yudhi Bramantyo at a press briefing.We hope to conclude the recovery operation today, he added.The hall collapsed on September 29 while hundreds of students—mostly boys aged 12 to 19—were attending prayers. Ninety-seven survivors were treated for minor injuries and released, while six others remain in hospital with serious injuries.Police say the building had been under illegal construction, with two additional floors ...

• 06 Oct 2025