Catastrophe Worsens as Indonesian Educational Institution Collapse Death Toll Increases to 54
Media Source
The number of fatalities from the collapse of an Indonesian school has escalated to 54, according to authorities, with emergency responders continuing their search for over twelve unaccounted persons.
Numerous students, primarily adolescent males, had gathered for religious services at the Islamic boarding school in Eastern Java when the building gave way while undergoing construction.
Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency describes this as the country's deadliest disaster in 2025. Emergency workers are anticipated to conclude their rescue mission for 13 victims ensnared under debris by evening.
Investigation Underway into Collapse Cause
Authorities are continuing to probe the reason behind the structural failure. Certain authorities suggested the two-level structure caved in due to an inadequate base.
"Among all the catastrophes in 2025, natural or not, there hasn't been as many dead victims as the incident in Sidoarjo," stated a representative from the disaster mitigation agency during a media briefing.
The total count encompasses at least two individuals who were rescued from the rubble but subsequently died in hospital.
School Background and Oversight Issues
The institution is a traditional Islamic boarding school in Indonesia, referred to as a pesantren.
Many pesantren function without formal oversight, without comprehensive oversight or consistent monitoring. It remains unclear whether the institution had proper authorization to conduct additional construction.
Operational Difficulties
Emergency response efforts have faced difficulties due to the way the building fell, creating narrow voids for emergency personnel to maneuver within, officials reported last week.
Eyewitness Reports
Survivors have shared their harrowing survival stories with local media.
One 13-year-old survivor recalled first "hearing the noise of falling rocks", which "grew louder and more intense".
The young person quickly rushed for the doorway, and while he successfully got out, he was wounded by collapsing materials from the ceiling.
