The death toll from the collapse of an Islamic boarding school building in East Java has risen to 37, as rescuers continue searching for missing students trapped beneath the debris, officials said on Saturday.

The three-story dormitory at Pondok Pesantren Al-Khoziny in Sidoarjo Regency collapsed on Friday morning while students were attending classes. Authorities said heavy rainfall and poor construction likely contributed to the disaster.

East Java Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson Agus Wibowo confirmed that 37 bodies have been recovered, while at least 26 students remain missing. More than 100 people have been rescued, several with serious injuries. “Rescue teams are working around the clock, but unstable debris makes progress slow,” Wibowo noted.

Initial investigations revealed that two additional floors were recently added to the dormitory without construction permits. Police have detained several individuals, including the school’s contractor and administrator, for questioning.

Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa visited the site, expressing condolences and urging stricter safety inspections in educational institutions.The National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) reported that around 60 percent of the debris has been cleared, but hopes of finding more survivors are fading.

President Joko Widodo ordered the National Disaster Agency to provide medical and humanitarian support for affected families.Building collapses remain a recurring tragedy in Indonesia, where rapid construction often outpaces safety oversight.(ILKHA)