BNPB Declares Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School Collapse Deadliest Disaster of 2025

Sidoarjo: The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has declared the collapse of the prayer room at the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Buduran, Sidoarjo Regency, East Java, the disaster with the highest number of fatalities in Indonesia in 2025. As of Monday, October 6, 2025, 54 people had died as a result of the tragedy.

BNPB Deputy for Emergency Management, Major General Budi Irawan, said the death toll from the prayer room collapse was far higher than that of other natural disasters that occurred in Indonesia this year.

"Of the disasters that have occurred this year, from the earthquake in Poso, flash floods in Bali, to the landslide in Nagekeo, the death toll has not been as high here. The collapse of the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School prayer room is the worst disaster of 2025," said Budi.

According to him, the large number of victims is a direct concern for the central government. President Prabowo Subianto has reportedly issued a special order to the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) to ensure that the entire search and handling process for victims is carried out quickly and transparently.

"The Head of BNPB has received direct attention from President Prabowo Subianto to ensure that all emergency response measures are carried out optimally and humanely. This is a direct order from the President," said Budi.

Budi explained that 13 victims remain unaccounted for. BNPB, along with Basarnas (National Search and Rescue Agency), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri), are targeting completion of the search for all victims today.

"We are targeting completion of the search operation today. Basarnas and the Military District Command (Kodim) have systematically arranged a search schedule. We hope all victims will be found soon," said Budi.

To ensure public transparency, the evacuation process is being conducted transparently and can be monitored live 24/7.

"During my time at the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), this is the first time the evacuation process has been broadcast live 24/7. The public can see how the SAR team is working in the field. This demonstrates our transparency," Budi concluded.