Tragedy Worsens as Indonesia School Collapse Fatalities Increases to 54
Media Source
The number of fatalities from the structural failure of an Indonesian school has escalated to 54, according to authorities, with emergency responders still looking for over twelve unaccounted persons.
Numerous students, mostly teenage boys, had assembled for religious services at the religious educational institution in Eastern Java when the structure gave way while being renovated.
Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency describes this as the country's deadliest catastrophe this year. Rescue personnel are anticipated to conclude their search operation for thirteen individuals ensnared beneath the rubble by evening.
Investigation Ongoing into Collapse Cause
Investigators are continuing to probe the cause behind the structural failure. Certain authorities suggested the two-storey building collapsed due to an unstable foundation.
"Among all the catastrophes in 2025, whether natural or man-made, there hasn't been as many dead victims as the incident in Sidoarjo," stated a representative from the disaster mitigation agency during a press conference.
The total count includes at least two individuals who were extracted from the rubble but subsequently died in hospital.
Institutional Context and Regulatory Concerns
The facility is a conventional Islamic boarding school in Indonesia, commonly known as a pesantren.
Many Islamic schools operate without formal oversight, lacking strong regulation or consistent monitoring. It remains uncertain whether the institution had proper authorization to conduct building modifications.
Rescue Challenges
Emergency response efforts have faced difficulties due to the way the structure collapsed, leaving only tight spaces for emergency personnel to maneuver within, authorities reported last week.
Eyewitness Reports
Survivors have shared their terrifying escape experiences with regional news outlets.
One teenage eyewitness described first "hearing the noise of falling rocks", which "grew louder and louder".
The young person immediately ran for the doorway, and while he successfully got out, he was injured by falling debris from the roof.
