Indonesia Prayer Hall Collapse Kills One, Injures 99

On Sept. 29, 2025, a multistorey prayer hall at the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java, collapsed while more than 100 students were performing afternoon prayers, killing at least one student and injuring roughly 99, officials said. Rescue teams, police and soldiers worked through the night, recovering about eight survivors alive and providing oxygen and water to those believed trapped; about 65 students are feared buried. Authorities say the hall was undergoing an unauthorized vertical expansion—originally two stories with extra floors added—and allege the old foundation failed during concrete pouring; an investigation has been launched. Heavy concrete slabs and unstable debris have hampered search-and-rescue efforts, forcing crews to use caution with heavy equipment as hundreds of rescuers continue digging. Families gathered at hospitals and the site, and the collapse has renewed concerns about lax construction and building-safety standards in Indonesia.