Death Toll Rises to 67 in Indonesian School Collapse Tragedy

The search for victims of the devastating school collapse in Indonesia has concluded, with the death toll reaching **67**. The incident occurred on **September 29, 2023**, at a multi-storey Islamic boarding school on **Java Island**, where over **170** students were gathered for afternoon prayers.

During a press conference on Tuesday, **Mohammad Syafii**, head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (**Basarnas**), announced the end of the search and rescue operation after nine days. “We have concluded the search and rescue operation for the victims,” he stated. The agency’s operations director, **Yudhi Bramantyo**, confirmed that all rubble from the collapse site had been cleared and that rescuers had scoured the area, concluding that it was highly unlikely any more victims would be found.

According to Bramantyo, a total of **171** individuals were evacuated, with **67** confirmed dead, which includes eight dismembered body parts. He added that **104** people survived the tragedy. Meanwhile, **Budi Irawan**, deputy head of the National Disaster Agency (**BNPB**), emphasized that it is “very unlikely there are still bodies there.” As of now, only **17** of the deceased have been identified by the police’s Disaster Victim Identification unit.

This collapse marks the deadliest disaster in Indonesia for **2023**, as reported by the BNPB. Investigations are currently underway to determine the cause of the collapse, with preliminary findings suggesting that substandard construction practices may have played a significant role in the tragedy.

In the wake of the disaster, families of the missing individuals had agreed last Thursday to allow heavy machinery to be used in the search efforts after the critical **72-hour** window for optimal survival chances had elapsed. Concerns about lax construction standards have emerged, especially following another incident earlier in September, where a building used for a prayer recital collapsed in **West Java**, resulting in three deaths and multiple injuries.

The current tragedy has reignited discussions about building safety regulations in Indonesia, where inadequate construction practices have raised alarms among experts and the public alike. The urgent call for stricter enforcement of building codes is expected to gain momentum as the country mourns the loss of young lives in this tragic incident.

As authorities continue their investigation, the hope remains that this event will lead to necessary changes in building safety protocols, ensuring that future incidents of this nature may be avoided.