A quiet afternoon turned to tragedy in East Java's Sidoarjo Regency on September 29 when a school building collapsed, burying at least 91 students under rubble. Local disaster authorities confirmed the casualty figure on October 1 as rescue teams continued search operations amid anguished families.
Munir, a resident living near the site, recounted the terrifying moment: "I heard a rumbling sound and felt vibrations in my house. Then I saw dust rising up at the school like a fire." His testimony echoes multiple witness accounts of the sudden structural failure that occurred during school hours.
Medical staff at nearby hospitals described receiving dozens of injured students, with many families still awaiting news about missing children. The incident has sparked urgent discussions about infrastructure safety standards in Indonesian educational facilities.
While the cause remains under investigation, the disaster highlights growing concerns about aging public buildings across Southeast Asia. Analysts suggest this event may prompt regional governments to accelerate structural audits of schools and hospitals.
