Tragedy Deepens as Indonesian Educational Institution Collapse Fatalities Increases to 54
Media Source
The death count from the structural failure of an educational facility in Indonesia has climbed to 54, as confirmed by officials, with rescue teams continuing their search for over twelve unaccounted persons.
Numerous students, mostly teenage boys, had gathered for religious services at the Islamic boarding school in Eastern Java when the structure collapsed while being renovated.
Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency characterizes this as the country's deadliest disaster this year. Rescue personnel are expected to conclude their search operation for thirteen individuals ensnared beneath the rubble by evening.
Probe Ongoing into Structural Failure
Investigators are continuing to probe the reason behind the collapse. Some officials indicated the two-level structure collapsed due to an inadequate base.
"Among all the catastrophes in 2025, whether natural or man-made, there hasn't been as numerous fatalities as the ones in Sidoarjo," stated a representative from the emergency management authority during a press conference.
The overall number encompasses at least two people who were extracted from the rubble but later succumbed in hospital.
Institutional Context and Oversight Issues
The institution is a traditional Islamic boarding school in Indonesia, commonly known as a pesantren.
Many Islamic schools operate informally, without comprehensive oversight or regular inspections. It remains uncertain whether the school had proper authorization to conduct additional construction.
Operational Difficulties
Search and rescue operations have faced difficulties due to the manner the building collapsed, creating narrow voids for rescuers to maneuver within, authorities reported last week.
Survivor Accounts
Survivors have shared their terrifying escape experiences with local media.
One 13-year-old survivor described first "noticing the noise of falling rocks", which "grew louder and more intense".
The young person immediately ran for the doorway, and while he successfully got out, he was injured by falling debris from the ceiling.