Tragedy Deepens as Indonesia School Collapse Death Toll Increases to 54
News Agency
The number of fatalities from the structural failure of an educational facility in Indonesia has escalated to 54, as confirmed by officials, with emergency responders continuing their search for over twelve unaccounted persons.
Hundreds pupils, primarily adolescent males, had assembled for religious services at the religious educational institution in East Java when the structure collapsed while undergoing construction.
Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency characterizes this as the country's most fatal catastrophe in 2025. Emergency workers are anticipated to complete their rescue mission for 13 victims ensnared beneath the rubble by day's end.
Probe Ongoing into Collapse Cause
Authorities are still examining the reason behind the structural failure. Some officials suggested the two-level structure caved in due to an inadequate base.
"Out of all the disasters in 2025, natural or not, there has not occurred as numerous fatalities as the ones in Sidoarjo," declared a representative from the emergency management authority during a media briefing.
The overall number includes at least two people who were rescued from the debris but later died in hospital.
Institutional Context and Regulatory Concerns
The facility is a traditional Islamic boarding school in Indonesia, commonly known as a pesantren.
Many pesantren function informally, 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 faced difficulties due to the way the building fell, creating narrow voids for emergency personnel to operate within, officials reported last week.
Survivor Accounts
Survivors have shared their terrifying escape experiences with local media.
One 13-year-old eyewitness described first "hearing the sound of falling rocks", which "grew louder and louder".
The young person quickly rushed for the doorway, and while he managed to escape, he was wounded by collapsing materials from the ceiling.
