Tragedy Worsens as Indonesian Educational Institution Collapse Death Toll Increases to 54
Media Source
The death count from the structural failure of an educational facility in Indonesia has climbed to 54, as confirmed by officials, with emergency responders still looking for over twelve unaccounted persons.
Hundreds pupils, mostly teenage boys, had gathered for religious services at the religious educational institution in Eastern Java when the structure collapsed while undergoing construction.
Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency characterizes this as the country's deadliest catastrophe in 2025. Emergency workers are expected to conclude their search operation for 13 victims trapped under debris by evening.
Investigation Underway into Collapse Cause
Investigators are continuing to probe the cause behind the structural failure. Certain authorities indicated the two-storey building collapsed due to an unstable foundation.
"Among all the disasters in 2025, whether natural or man-made, there has not occurred as many dead victims as the ones in Sidoarjo," declared a deputy from the disaster mitigation agency during a press conference.
The total count includes at least two individuals who were rescued from the debris but later succumbed in medical care.
School Background and Oversight Issues
The institution is a conventional religious educational center in Indonesia, referred to as a pesantren.
Numerous pesantren function informally, lacking comprehensive oversight or consistent monitoring. It remains unclear whether the institution had necessary permits to undertake building modifications.
Rescue Challenges
Emergency response efforts have faced difficulties due to the way the structure fell, leaving only tight spaces for emergency personnel to operate within, authorities stated previously.
Eyewitness Reports
Survivors have recounted their harrowing escape experiences with regional news outlets.
One teenage eyewitness recalled first "noticing the sound of collapsing materials", which "grew louder and more intense".
The young person quickly rushed for the exit, and while he managed to escape, he was injured by falling debris from the ceiling.
