At least 65 students are feared trapped beneath rubble after an under-construction Islamic school building in Indonesia collapsed, according to the Associated Press.
One student was confirmed dead and dozens more injured in the incident at the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school, located on Java, the country’s main island, AFP reported, citing local police.
The multi-story structure gave way as more than 100 students had gathered for afternoon prayers, Antara reported, quoting eyewitnesses.
Rescue teams managed to evacuate more than 79 students, according to East Java police spokesman Jules Abraham Abast, who spoke to AFP. He confirmed one fatality based on hospital reports but did not release further details, adding that officials are still working to determine the total number of victims.
Authorities are “actively communicating with relevant parties,” including school officials, to confirm how many students may remain trapped under the debris, Abast said.
School administrator Abdus Salam Mujib explained that the collapse occurred after workers poured concrete for the third floor of the four-story project. While the upper levels were intended for classrooms and student activities, the ground floor served as the prayer hall.
The tragedy comes just days after another building collapse during a prayer recital in West Java killed three and injured dozens, once again highlighting concerns over building safety and construction standards in Indonesia, AFP noted.
