Tragedy Worsens as Indonesia School Collapse Death Toll Rises to 54
News Agency
The death count from the collapse of an Indonesian school has climbed to 54, according to authorities, with emergency responders still looking for over twelve missing individuals.
Hundreds students, mostly adolescent males, had assembled for prayers at the religious educational institution in Eastern Java when the building gave way while undergoing construction.
The country's emergency management authority describes this as the country's deadliest disaster this year. Rescue personnel are anticipated to complete their search operation for thirteen individuals ensnared under debris by evening.
Investigation Ongoing into Collapse Cause
Authorities are continuing to probe the reason behind the collapse. Some officials suggested the two-level structure collapsed due to an unstable foundation.
"Out of all the disasters in 2025, whether natural or man-made, there has not occurred as many dead victims as the incident in Sidoarjo," stated a representative from the disaster mitigation agency during a press conference.
The total count encompasses at least two individuals who were rescued from the debris but subsequently succumbed in hospital.
Institutional Context and Oversight Issues
The facility is a traditional Islamic boarding school in Indonesia, referred to as a pesantren.
Numerous pesantren function informally, lacking comprehensive oversight or consistent monitoring. It remains uncertain whether the institution had proper authorization to conduct additional construction.
Operational Difficulties
Search and rescue operations have faced difficulties due to the manner the building fell, creating narrow voids for emergency personnel to maneuver within, authorities stated last week.
Survivor Accounts
Those who escaped have recounted their harrowing escape experiences with regional news outlets.
One teenage survivor recalled first "hearing the sound of falling rocks", which "intensified and more intense".
The adolescent quickly rushed for the doorway, and while he successfully got out, he was injured by collapsing materials from the ceiling.
