Tragedy Deepens as Indonesia School Structural Failure Death Toll Rises to 54

News Agency

The number of fatalities from the collapse of an Indonesian school has climbed to 54, according to authorities, with rescue teams still looking for over twelve unaccounted persons.

Numerous pupils, primarily adolescent males, had gathered for religious services at the religious educational institution in Eastern Java when the building gave way while being renovated.

The country's emergency management authority describes this as the country's most fatal disaster in 2025. Emergency workers are anticipated to conclude their search operation for 13 victims trapped beneath the rubble by day's end.

Probe Ongoing into Collapse Cause

Authorities are continuing to probe the cause behind the collapse. Certain authorities suggested the two-storey building caved in due to an unstable foundation.

"Out of all the catastrophes in 2025, whether natural or man-made, there hasn't been as many dead victims as the ones in Sidoarjo," declared a representative from the disaster mitigation agency during a media briefing.

The overall number includes at least two individuals who were rescued from the rubble but later died in medical care.

School Background and Regulatory Concerns

The facility is a conventional religious educational center in Indonesia, referred to as a pesantren.

Numerous pesantren function informally, lacking comprehensive oversight or consistent monitoring. It remains unclear whether the institution had proper authorization to undertake building modifications.

Rescue Challenges

Search and rescue operations have faced difficulties due to the way the structure collapsed, creating tight spaces for rescuers to operate within, authorities reported last week.

Eyewitness Reports

Survivors have recounted their terrifying escape experiences with local media.

One 13-year-old survivor recalled first "hearing the noise of collapsing materials", which "intensified and louder".

The adolescent immediately ran for the exit, and while he managed to escape, he was wounded by collapsing materials from the roof.