Tragedy Worsens as Indonesia Educational Institution Collapse Death Toll Increases to 54
Media Source
The number of fatalities from the structural failure of an Indonesian school has climbed to 54, as confirmed by officials, with rescue teams still looking for over twelve unaccounted persons.
Numerous pupils, mostly adolescent males, had assembled for prayers at the Islamic boarding school in East Java when the building collapsed while being renovated.
Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency characterizes this as the country's most fatal disaster in 2025. Emergency workers are expected to conclude their rescue mission for 13 victims trapped beneath the rubble by evening.
Probe Underway into Structural Failure
Investigators are continuing to probe the reason behind the collapse. Certain authorities indicated the two-level structure caved in due to an inadequate base.
"Out of all the catastrophes in 2025, whether natural or man-made, there has not occurred as many dead victims as the ones in Sidoarjo," declared a deputy from the emergency management authority during a press conference.
The overall number encompasses at least two individuals who were extracted from the debris but later died in hospital.
School Background and Oversight Issues
The facility is a traditional Islamic boarding school in Indonesia, commonly known as a pesantren.
Numerous Islamic schools operate without formal oversight, lacking comprehensive oversight or regular inspections. It remains unclear whether the school had proper authorization to conduct building modifications.
Rescue Challenges
Emergency response efforts have faced difficulties due to the manner the structure fell, creating tight spaces for emergency personnel to maneuver within, officials stated last week.
Eyewitness Reports
Survivors have recounted their terrifying escape experiences with local media.
One 13-year-old survivor described first "hearing the sound of falling rocks", which "intensified and louder".
The young person immediately ran for the doorway, and while he successfully got out, he was injured by collapsing materials from the roof.
