Tragedy Deepens as Indonesian Educational Institution Structural Failure Death Toll Increases to 54

News Agency

The death count from the collapse of an Indonesian school has escalated to 54, according to authorities, with emergency responders still looking for over twelve unaccounted persons.

Hundreds students, primarily adolescent males, had gathered for religious services at the Islamic boarding school in Eastern Java when the structure collapsed while being renovated.

The country's emergency management authority characterizes this as the country's deadliest disaster this year. Emergency workers are expected to complete their search operation for thirteen individuals ensnared beneath the rubble by evening.

Probe Ongoing into Structural Failure

Authorities are continuing to probe the reason behind the structural failure. Certain authorities indicated the two-level structure collapsed due to an inadequate base.

"Out of all the catastrophes in 2025, natural or not, there hasn't been as numerous fatalities as the incident in Sidoarjo," stated a representative from the emergency management authority during a press conference.

The overall number encompasses at least two individuals who were extracted from the rubble but later died in hospital.

Institutional Context and Regulatory Concerns

The institution is a traditional religious educational center in Indonesia, commonly known as a pesantren.

Numerous pesantren function without formal oversight, without comprehensive oversight or regular inspections. It remains uncertain whether the school had proper authorization to undertake additional construction.

Rescue Challenges

Emergency response efforts have proven challenging due to the manner the building fell, creating narrow voids for emergency personnel to maneuver within, officials reported previously.

Eyewitness Reports

Survivors have recounted their harrowing survival stories with local media.

One 13-year-old eyewitness described first "noticing the noise of collapsing materials", which "grew louder and louder".

The adolescent quickly rushed for the exit, and while he successfully got out, he was wounded by collapsing materials from the ceiling.