Tragedy Deepens as Indonesia Educational Institution Collapse Death Toll Increases to 54
News Agency
The death count from the collapse of an educational facility in Indonesia has escalated to 54, according to authorities, with emergency responders continuing their search for over twelve unaccounted persons.
Hundreds pupils, mostly teenage boys, had gathered for prayers at the religious educational institution in Eastern Java when the building gave way while being renovated.
Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency characterizes this as the nation's most fatal catastrophe this year. Emergency workers are expected to complete their search operation for thirteen individuals trapped beneath the rubble by evening.
Investigation Underway into Structural Failure
Authorities are continuing to probe the reason behind the collapse. Some officials suggested the two-level structure caved in due to an unstable foundation.
"Among all the catastrophes in 2025, natural or not, 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 includes at least two individuals who were extracted from the rubble but later succumbed in hospital.
School Background and Oversight Issues
The facility is a traditional religious educational center in Indonesia, commonly known as a pesantren.
Many Islamic schools operate informally, without comprehensive oversight or consistent monitoring. It remains unclear whether the school had necessary permits to conduct additional construction.
Operational Difficulties
Search and rescue operations have proven challenging due to the manner the building fell, creating narrow voids for rescuers to maneuver within, authorities reported previously.
Eyewitness Reports
Survivors have shared their terrifying survival stories with local media.
One teenage eyewitness recalled first "noticing the noise of falling rocks", which "grew louder and louder".
The adolescent quickly rushed for the exit, and while he successfully got out, he was wounded by collapsing materials from the ceiling.
