Tragedy Worsens as Indonesia School Collapse Fatalities Increases to 54
News Agency
The number of fatalities from the structural failure of an educational facility in Indonesia has escalated to 54, as confirmed by officials, with emergency responders still looking for over twelve missing individuals.
Numerous pupils, mostly teenage boys, had assembled for prayers at the religious educational institution in East Java when the building gave way while undergoing construction.
Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency characterizes this as the nation's most fatal catastrophe in 2025. Emergency workers are expected to conclude their search operation for thirteen individuals ensnared under debris by evening.
Investigation Underway into Collapse Cause
Authorities are still examining the reason behind the structural failure. Certain authorities indicated the two-storey building collapsed due to an inadequate base.
"Among 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 disaster mitigation agency during a press conference.
The overall number includes at least two individuals who were rescued from the rubble but later died in hospital.
Institutional Context and Oversight Issues
The facility is a conventional religious educational center in Indonesia, referred to as a pesantren.
Numerous pesantren operate without formal oversight, without strong regulation or regular inspections. It remains uncertain whether the school had proper authorization to undertake building modifications.
Operational Difficulties
Emergency response efforts have faced difficulties due to the way the structure collapsed, creating narrow voids for emergency personnel to maneuver within, authorities stated previously.
Survivor Accounts
Survivors have shared their terrifying escape experiences with regional news outlets.
One 13-year-old eyewitness described first "hearing the noise of collapsing materials", which "grew louder and more intense".
The young person immediately ran for the doorway, and while he successfully got out, he was injured by collapsing materials from the roof.
