Islamic Boarding School Musala In Sidoarjo Ambruk, Puan: Evacuation Must Prioritize Santri Safety

The joint SAR team is looking for victims of the collapsed prayer room building at the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School (Ponpes) in Buduran District, Sidoarjo, East Java, Monday (29/9/2025) night.ANTARA PHOTO/Umarul Faruq/tom. (.)

JAKARTA - The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, expressed her condolences for the collapse of the prayer room at the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School, Buduran-Sidoarjo, East Java which claimed 3 lives and dozens of students were injured. Puan requested that the protection of students must be a top priority.

"Our aspiration is to convey to the victims as a result of this incident. The government must ensure that every student learns and worships in a safe, appropriate and dignified place," said Puan to reporters, Tuesday, September 30.

Puan also reminded that the evacuation process must pay attention to security for students.

"Of course we are grateful for the role of the SAR team and the parties who assisted in the evacuation process," said Puan.

"And most importantly, evacuation must prioritize the safety and security of the students who are still trapped in the rubble of the building," he continued.

Puan said this incident was not only grief for the families of the victims, but also a strong warning to the government about the importance of building safety standards for religious facilities and education in Indonesia. He also highlighted the lack of construction supervision on Islamic boarding schools and education-based facilities.

"The state must be present to ensure that every development process, especially regarding public facilities for children, is carried out according to the correct construction rules and is closely monitored," said Puan.

Puan also encouraged the central and regional governments to provide assistance to Al-Khoziny Islamic Boarding Schools, including the foundation and students and their families.

"Relational officials, including the Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Religion, and local governments, must work together to conduct technical audits of buildings. Also psychological assistance or trauma healing for victims," he said.

In addition to emergency handling for victims, Puan also asked the Government to prepare long-term steps in the form of improving regulations and strengthening supervision of the development of educational and religious facilities.

Puan emphasized that Islamic boarding schools as religious educational institutions that accommodate millions of students throughout Indonesia should not be left with facilities that are prone to endanger safety.

"The state must not ignore the basic rights of children to get a healthy education and religious environment and be protected from disaster risks and technical accidents," concluded Puan.

Musala, located in the men's dormitory area of the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School (Ponpes), Buduran Village, Sidoarjo, collapsed while being used by students for congregational prayers on Monday, September 29. The building, which is still under construction, collapsed and resulted in dozens of students being injured and three dying.

Based on data on Tuesday, September 30, at 08.00 WIB, a total of 98 students became victims in this incident. The victims were treated in three hospitals, namely Sidoarjo Hospital, Siti Hajar Hospital, and Delta Surya Hospital.

Currently, the SAR Team continues to struggle to save the students who are still trapped in the rubble of the Al-Khoziny Islamic Boarding School. On the second day of the evacuation, 11 victims were successfully removed even though the fragile building continued to threaten to collapse again.

Overall, the number of victims who were successfully evacuated was 102 where as many as 91 victims were in the hospital and survived, and based on confirmation 10 victims had returned to their families. Meanwhile, there are around 38 victims who are still trapped and have not been evacuated.