Catastrophe Worsens as Indonesia Educational Institution Collapse Death Toll Rises to 54
Media Source
The number of fatalities from the collapse of an Indonesian school has escalated to 54, as confirmed by officials, with emergency responders continuing their search for more than a dozen unaccounted persons.
Hundreds pupils, primarily adolescent males, had assembled for prayers at the religious educational institution in East Java when the building gave way while being renovated.
The country's emergency management authority describes this as the nation's deadliest catastrophe this year. Emergency workers are expected to conclude their search operation for thirteen individuals trapped beneath the rubble by day's end.
Investigation Underway into Collapse Cause
Authorities are continuing to probe the cause behind the collapse. Some officials suggested the two-level structure caved in due to an unstable foundation.
"Out of all the catastrophes in 2025, natural or not, there has not occurred as many dead victims as the incident in Sidoarjo," declared a deputy from the disaster mitigation agency during a media briefing.
The total count encompasses at least two individuals who were rescued from the rubble but subsequently died in medical care.
School Background and Oversight Issues
The facility is a traditional religious educational center in Indonesia, referred to as a pesantren.
Numerous pesantren operate informally, lacking strong regulation or consistent monitoring. It remains uncertain whether the institution had necessary permits to undertake additional construction.
Operational Difficulties
Emergency response efforts have proven challenging due to the manner the building fell, leaving only narrow voids for emergency personnel to operate within, authorities stated last week.
Survivor Accounts
Those who escaped have shared their harrowing survival stories with regional news outlets.
One 13-year-old eyewitness recalled first "hearing the noise of collapsing materials", which "grew louder and more intense".
The adolescent quickly rushed for the exit, and while he successfully got out, he was injured by falling debris from the ceiling.
