Catastrophe Deepens as Indonesian Educational Institution Collapse Fatalities Rises to 54
News Agency
The number of fatalities from the structural failure of an Indonesian school has climbed to 54, according to authorities, with emergency responders continuing their search for over twelve unaccounted persons.
Hundreds pupils, mostly adolescent males, had gathered for prayers at the religious educational institution in Eastern Java when the building collapsed while undergoing construction.
Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency describes this as the country's most fatal disaster this year. Rescue personnel are anticipated to conclude their search operation for thirteen individuals trapped beneath the rubble by evening.
Probe Underway into Collapse Cause
Investigators are still examining the reason behind the structural failure. Certain authorities suggested the two-storey building collapsed due to an unstable foundation.
"Out of 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 media briefing.
The total count includes at least two individuals who were extracted from the debris but subsequently died in medical care.
Institutional Context and Oversight Issues
The facility is a traditional Islamic boarding school in Indonesia, referred to as a pesantren.
Numerous pesantren operate without formal oversight, without comprehensive oversight or consistent monitoring. It remains uncertain whether the institution had necessary permits to undertake building modifications.
Rescue Challenges
Emergency response efforts have faced difficulties due to the way the structure collapsed, creating tight spaces for emergency personnel to operate within, officials stated last week.
Survivor Accounts
Those who escaped have shared their terrifying escape experiences with local media.
One teenage eyewitness described first "noticing the sound of collapsing materials", which "intensified and more intense".
The young person immediately ran for the exit, and while he managed to escape, he was injured by collapsing materials from the roof.
