Tragedy 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, as confirmed by officials, with rescue teams still looking for more than a dozen unaccounted persons.

Hundreds students, mostly adolescent males, had gathered for prayers at the Islamic boarding school in Eastern Java when the structure gave way while undergoing construction.

The country's emergency management authority describes this as the nation's most fatal catastrophe this year. Emergency workers are anticipated to complete their rescue mission for thirteen individuals ensnared under debris by day's end.

Probe Underway into Structural Failure

Authorities are continuing to probe the cause behind the collapse. Certain authorities suggested the two-level structure caved in due to an inadequate base.

"Out of all the catastrophes in 2025, natural or not, there has not occurred as numerous fatalities as the incident in Sidoarjo," stated a representative from the emergency management authority during a media briefing.

The total count includes at least two individuals who were extracted from the debris but subsequently died in hospital.

Institutional Context and Regulatory Concerns

The facility is a traditional Islamic boarding school in Indonesia, commonly known as a pesantren.

Numerous Islamic schools function without formal oversight, lacking strong regulation or regular inspections. It remains unclear whether the school had necessary permits to conduct additional construction.

Rescue Challenges

Search and rescue operations have faced difficulties due to the way the building fell, creating tight spaces for rescuers to maneuver within, officials stated previously.

Eyewitness Reports

Those who escaped have recounted their terrifying escape experiences with regional news outlets.

One teenage eyewitness described first "noticing the sound of collapsing materials", which "grew louder and more intense".

The young person quickly rushed for the doorway, and while he managed to escape, he was injured by falling debris from the roof.