Tragedy Deepens as Indonesian Educational Institution Collapse Fatalities 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 missing individuals.
Hundreds students, primarily adolescent males, had assembled for religious services at the Islamic boarding school in East Java when the building collapsed while being renovated.
The country's emergency management authority characterizes this as the nation's deadliest disaster this year. Emergency workers are anticipated to conclude their search operation for 13 victims ensnared beneath the rubble by day's end.
Investigation Ongoing into Structural Failure
Investigators are still examining the reason behind the collapse. Certain authorities suggested the two-level structure collapsed due to an unstable foundation.
"Among all the catastrophes in 2025, whether natural or man-made, there has not occurred as numerous fatalities as the ones in Sidoarjo," declared a deputy from the disaster mitigation agency during a press conference.
The overall number encompasses at least two people who were extracted from the debris but later succumbed in hospital.
Institutional Context and Regulatory Concerns
The institution is a conventional religious educational center in Indonesia, referred to as a pesantren.
Many pesantren operate informally, lacking comprehensive oversight or consistent monitoring. It remains uncertain whether the institution had proper authorization to conduct additional construction.
Rescue Challenges
Search and rescue operations have faced difficulties due to the manner the structure collapsed, creating narrow voids for emergency personnel to maneuver within, officials reported previously.
Eyewitness Reports
Those who escaped have recounted their harrowing survival stories with regional news outlets.
One 13-year-old eyewitness recalled first "noticing the noise of falling rocks", which "grew louder and more intense".
The adolescent quickly rushed for the exit, and while he successfully got out, he was injured by collapsing materials from the roof.
