Tragedy Strikes: Collapse of Al Khoziny Islamic School

A sense of dread enveloped Jayanti Mandasari after a call from her son, M. Muhfi Alfian, on Monday. Alfian, known for his generosity, asked for money to buy snacks for friends, but Jayanti's fears became reality after learning the Islamic school, Al Khoziny, where Alfian studied had collapsed.

The collapse killed at least five and left about 60 people, including Alfian, trapped in the rubble in Sidoarjo, East Java. Rescuers continued their search for survivors despite no signs of life, hoping against hope as they called out to trapped individuals through debris-strewn tunnels.

Authorities attributed the collapse to faulty foundation work during construction on the upper floors. With over 42,000 such institutions across Indonesia, concerns loom about safety in similar schools. Jayanti, stricken by trauma, vowed not to send her other children to the school.

(With inputs from agencies.)