A Community Devastated
On October 3, 2025, tragedy struck in East Java, Indonesia, as the Al Khoziny boarding school collapsed, burying students beneath tons of concrete. Four days since that heart-wrenching event, the families of missing students find themselves gripped by grief, outrage, and a deep yearning for answers.
“You keep telling us to wait, but it's already the fifth day!”
Such sentiments echoed throughout the makeshift shelter established for the families of the victims, where thin mattresses were the only solace amid their despair. Relatives swarmed the area, awaiting news of their loved ones, still trapped beneath the rubble, as rescue crews struggled to navigate the cramped and precarious site.
The Search for Survivors
Among the few survivors of the tragedy is 16-year-old Zainul Fatih, who awoke from unconsciousness to cries for help amidst the chaos. “He is still traumatized now,” his father Abdus Syakur shared, highlighting the profound emotional scars that may last a lifetime.
As the body count begins to rise—currently at 13—with authorities recovering additional victims daily, the loss is felt deeply across the community, which had long viewed the school as a cornerstone of education and religious instruction.
Grief Turned to Anger
Frustration erupted from family members as the days dragged on without conclusive updates. One mother, feeling helpless, shouted at the rescue team, echoing the universal demand for action in the face of catastrophe. “Don't you feel sorry for us?”
This led to urgent calls for families to take action. Many insisted they be allowed to assist in the recovery efforts directly, driven by desperation and the raw need for closure.
Challenges in Recovery Efforts
The recovery operation has been challenging, largely due to the complexities of navigating through collapsed pillars and debris. Rescuers have been hampered by the need to ensure the safety of the surroundings while trying to recover bodies, a task made arduous by the tight quarters of the disaster site.
Technological Failures Blamed
Officials have pointed the finger at “technological failure” for the collapse, amid ongoing questions about whether construction work on the building had been properly authorized. As families mourn their losses, they are also demanding accountability.
“I only wish that I could finally meet my son in an intact body,”
one grieving father lamented, revealing the deep, personal pain experienced by many within the community. The collapse has left parents like Khoiri, who, despite searching endlessly, have come to terms with the chilling possibility that their children may never return.
A Call for Change
The Al Khoziny school was more than just an educational institution; it represented a foundation of hope for many families, compelling their children to pursue a righteous path through rigorous Islamic studies. However, this horrific disaster exposes underlying issues in safety practices and regulations governing such institutions.
As the families and community continue to mourn, their collective grief becomes a profound call to action. How many more tragedies must transpire before stringent safety measures are prioritized in structures housing our future?
The Community Response
In the wake of despair, the community has rallied to support the victims' families. Neighbors have provided food, water, and blankets to the grieving parents congregating at the temporary shelter. The spirit of communal resilience shines bright amidst utter heartache.
Nevertheless, amid this solidarity, the question remains: Will the disaster prompt reforms aimed at ensuring such tragedies never occur again? As long as investigative journalism exists, the cries for justice and accountability will be heard, ensuring the voices of the grieving transition from mere whispers to a resounding call for change.
Source reference: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/world/asia/indonesia-school-collapse-families.html
