Tragedy Worsens as Indonesia School Structural Failure Fatalities Increases to 54
Media Source
The number of fatalities from the collapse of an educational facility in Indonesia has escalated to 54, according to authorities, with emergency responders still looking for over twelve unaccounted persons.
Numerous pupils, mostly adolescent males, had gathered for prayers at the religious educational institution in East Java when the building gave way while undergoing construction.
Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency describes this as the country's most fatal catastrophe in 2025. Emergency workers are anticipated to conclude their rescue mission for thirteen individuals trapped under debris by day's end.
Probe Underway into Collapse Cause
Investigators are still examining the reason behind the structural failure. Certain authorities suggested the two-level structure caved in due to an inadequate base.
"Among all the disasters in 2025, natural or not, there hasn't been as numerous fatalities as the incident in Sidoarjo," declared a deputy from the disaster mitigation agency during a media briefing.
The overall number encompasses at least two individuals who were rescued from the debris but later died in medical care.
Institutional Context and Regulatory Concerns
The facility is a conventional religious educational center in Indonesia, referred to as a pesantren.
Numerous pesantren function without formal oversight, without strong regulation or regular inspections. It remains unclear whether the school had necessary permits to undertake additional construction.
Rescue Challenges
Emergency response efforts have proven challenging due to the manner the structure collapsed, leaving only tight spaces for rescuers to operate within, officials stated last week.
Survivor Accounts
Survivors have shared their harrowing survival stories with local media.
One 13-year-old survivor recalled first "noticing the sound of collapsing materials", which "intensified and more intense".
The adolescent quickly rushed for the exit, and while he managed to escape, he was injured by falling debris from the roof.
